On Pointe! with Ballet Manila at the ALIW Theater

I was in Aliw Theater last year for the showcase of shows of Ballet Manila. It was so inspiring to see on stage several local original shows, and this season proves they’re not about to let go yet of that success. They call this On Pointe! and they got us in comfy glass chairs in S Maison at the Mall of Asia grounds for a little treat featuring Ballet Manila’s prime dancers.

Lisa Macuja Elizalde says “This is our 24th season and I can’t believe it. This morning you will get a glimpse of the 4 productions we will do this year. As you see with the excerpts later, it is the fitting theme in the kind of shows Ballet Manila wants to put together. Our season will open with Snowhite, a visit to my princess trilogy, including Sleeping Beauty. We will also be showcasing Giselle which is romance in two acts, plus a collaboration with Osias Barroso, the Carmina Burana and La Traviata. This will end our season on a high note.”

Giselle is much about heartache, romance, death, but a pretty fine piece for classical ballet. It was enchanting to see it live. Sleeping Beauty also has original choreography by Ms Lisa Macuja Elizalde, stunning to see characters come to life, it was like children’s book turned fantasy turned movie on stage. Sleeping Beauty is also about romance, it’s highs and lows, it’s journey, a more fun interpretation of it. World class ballet, opera and live orchestra music makes this Carmina Burana and La Traviata double bill a great presentation of gigantic leaps, fun songs, and a short trip to the bull ring with matadors and maidens. There is also human emotions, so Ms Lisa take it as the hardest to do because it’s all original work.

Lisa added “The 25th season will be carefully curated, we won’t be doing over the top productions that the 26th won’t be able to do. We have plans to take Ibong Adarna in other places in the country and it’s where we want our resources to concentrate on. We also have been invited in several places like Israel, Cyprus, other places but we have to do more here.”

Abigail from Giselle says “We rehearse this ballet in one go, it’s how quickly you can change, you can’t hide flaws so this is the hardest to do among the lineup.”

Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty had different degrees of difficulty especially since Snow White didn’t have music to begin with. There were no other choreography either but on Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, there exists shows and music with it. Wether there will be more, it can only be answered soon!

Snow White will be on September 7 2pm and 6pm, September 8 at 3pm. Giselle will happen on October 19, 2pm and 6pm and October 20 at 3pm. Sleeping Beauty will happen on December 7 2pm and 6pm, December 8 at 3pm whilst Carmina Burana will be next year February 29 2pm-6pm and March 1 3pm (as double bill) at the ALIW Theater in Pasay City. You may also get tickets via Ticketworld 8919999 or call 8777696 (for bulk tickets). You may also email them at info@balletmanila.com.ph.