Ballet Philippines Presents Alice Reyes' Delightful Cinderella at the CCP Main Theater

Many of us grew up reading the classic fairy tales although the younger generations are more familiar with the movie versions. This December, prepare to feast your eyes on the ballet version of Cinderella which is filled with delightful dancers, beautiful costumes, and a script that smoothly combines romance and laughter in one spectacular production.

Alice Reyes' Cinderella is the special pre-Christmas treat staged by Ballet Philippines at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Cultural Center of the Philippines from November 28 to December 7, Fridays to Sundays. 

Cinderella and the dance instructor

I watched the November 29th show with my sister and my 8-year-old niece, who's been studying ballet for the past three years. We all had a grand time watching Cinderella (Monica Amanda Gana) transform from a servant maid to a gorgeous princess and seeing the more-funny-than-wicked stepsisters Griselda (Edana Mae Labitoria) and Prunella (Rita Angela Winder) dance awkwardly on stage while almost disabling their dance partners. It must have been very challenging for these two to pretend they are terrible dancers but they pulled off the comedic parts very well.

Prince Charming

Both Cinderella and Prince Charming (Earl John Arisola) impressed us not only with their graceful movements but also with numerous twirls that we couldn't imagine anyone would not be dizzy from. We likewise found the Fairy Godmother (Katherine Trofeo) as captivating as her co-dancers.

Fairy Godmother

It was a privilege, too, to catch Ballet Philippines President and former Miss Universe, Ms. Margie Moran Floirendo, play the wicked stepmother Brunhilda. Butch Esperanza takes on the role of the despairing King whose main dream is to see his son find a bride.

Brunhilda and the King

I'm sure everybody in the audience was captivated by the various musical numbers especially the one where different animals performed their own dances. The costumes were fantastic and the choice of music per group of animal made it very easy to appreciate the nuances of each creature. The ball in the palace (and what a grand one it is!) also captured everyone's attention because the dances and dancers were very entertaining. 

Brunhilda's manor

Before the show started, I was actually wondering how the "glass slippers" would figure in the story. How nice that they were able to integrate that part creatively. But I'm not telling you because you should watch to find out!

Fireflies

Ballet Philippines' Cinderella is a joyful mix of memorable characters in a three act ballet set to a collage of music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, who composed some of the world's greatest ballet music.   Alice Reyes is the visionary founder of the ballet company and is the person who propelled it into a national arts institution we can all be proud of. Through her efforts, dance has become among the country's respected careers and distinguished professions. 

Peacocks

Thanks to Alice Reyes, Filipino dancers have emerged as an indispensable part of our cultural heritage. Just this past June, she was declared National Artist for Dance by President Benigno S. Aquino III through Proclamation No. 807.

Prunella, Brunhilda, and Griselda

So don't miss this wonderful show that will fill your senses. It may be intended as a ballet for children but both the young and young-at-heart (my sister and I can attest to that!) are sure to be enthralled by this lively and humorous production.

Bluejays

Congratulations to the cast as well as the artistic and creative teams led by Alice Reyes (choreographer and librettist), Salvador Bernal (set and costume designer), Monino Duque (lighting designer), Barbara Tan-Tiongco (technical director), and Victor Ursabia and Ramon Victoria (restagers). 

The King's palace

Remaining show dates are on December 5 (3PM and 8PM), December 6 (10AM and 6PM), and December 7 (2PM and 6PM). For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph or call 551-1003. For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Get updates by liking www.facebook.com/balletphilippines and @balletphilippines on Instagram, following @balletph on Twitter, and subscribing to www.youtube.com/user/balletph.

* Alice Reyes' Cinderella is part of BP's 45th Anniversary Sapphire Season presented under the artistic directorship of Paul Alexander Morales as a toast to 45 years of dance excellence!