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Ballet Manila Presents Paul Vasterling's "Romeo And Juliet"

September 26, 2015

The dance of powerful love sizzles as Ballet Manila unveils Paul Vasterling's “Romeo and Juliet”, the second offering of the company’s 20th performance season.

The Artistic Director and CEO of Nashville Ballet USA, Paul Vasterling is known for his powerful rendition of Shakespeare’s works. His interest in 'Romeo and Juliet" dates back to his teens when he first saw the 1977 movie "Turning Point' starring Mikhail Baryshnikov. He remembers being captivated by the "Romeo & Juliet" balcony pas de deux danced by Baryshnikov and Leslie Brown. He described it as one of the most beautiful performances he has ever witnessed. A year after watching the movie he followed his heart and nurtured his love for ballet.

Paul Vasterling will be in Manila to personally oversee the Manila staging; which also happens to be its Asian premiere. For the Ballet Manila production, he leaves no stone unturned in recreating the unforgettable tale of immortal love. Along with his interpretative choreography is the powerful musical score by Prokofiev as interpreted by The Manila Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Alexander Vikulov of the Mariinsky Theater as guest conductor.

Vasterling’s contemporary approach will transport the audience to the streets of Verona, the site of the endless brawls between feuding families, the influential Capulets and Montagues. With touches from the Franco Zefferelli film, the grandeur is defined by the expansive set, authentic period costumes and passionate renditions of love, power and death.

Following the season's “From Page to Stage” theme, "Romeo and Juliet" is the explosive classical entry to Ballet Manila's line-up of shows based on literary classics.

Aside from the tribute to immortal love, the audience will also have their share of suspense with the action packed fight scenes. Unlike typical theatrical duels, there is no shouting or special effects. The audience will be treated to a thrilling match of graceful gestures and leaps, along with a symphony of flying swords.

Fresh from their victory at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong, Lisa proudly shared that the top winners in the international competition will be playing the role of Juliet.

Katherine Barkman the 2015 Asian Grand Prix winner will play Juliet with silver medalist Abigail Oliveiro and bronze medalist Joan Sia as her alternates. Playing Romeo are Rudy de Dedios (opposite Katherine Barkman), Brian Williamson (opposite Abigail Oliveiro), and Elpido Magait (opposte Joan Sia).

After officially hanging up her pointe shoes last year, Lisa dons them once again as she portrays Juliet's mother, Lady Capulet opposite Nonoy Froilan who plays Lord Capulet.

Although she has announced her retirement Ms. Macuja will continue to support Ballet Manila's performances and this includes joining the dancers for some shows. "My life is all about ballet and I will continue to dance roles that I feel I’m comfortable with," she said.

"Romeo and Juliet" will also be a reunion of sorts, since Lisa will be dancing with Nonoy Froilan, one of the country's premier danseurs.

"Nonoy Froilan was my first Albercht when I arrived from Russia in 1986. He was my first Basilio, Prince Sigfried, Nutracker Prince, Colas - together we danced Norman Walker's 'Summer's End", Basilio's "Oriental Fantasy' and many more adagios and pas de deux. We competed in Jackson together, we toured the Philippines together and for our Ballet Manila production of "Romeo and Juliet' in 2001, he was Lord Capulet to my Juliet in the Sergey Vikulov's full length version. I can't wait to dance with him again in the Asian premiere of Paul Vasterling's version"

The show is co-presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Aliw Theater and Star City. Other sponsors are ACS Manufacturing, First United Travel, Papa John’s Pizza, Manang’s Chicken, Empire Salon, Slimmer’s World, Island Rose, Oasis Paco Park Hotel, Ramada Manila Hotel, and whatshappening.com.ph.

"Romeo and Juliet" goes onstage on October 2 and 3, 8:00 PM and October 4, 3:00 PM at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. Tickets are available at all Ticketworld outlets, online at www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891 9999.

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Ballet Manila Stages Severino Reyes’ “Tatlong Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang”

August 21, 2015

Did you know that Lola Basyang is male?

Lola Basyang was the pen name of writer Severino Reyes, the genius behind the enchanting stories that has been adapted to books, comics, television and films.

Here are other amazing Lola Basyang facts:

The writer was 75 years old when he wrote the first Lola Basyang story entitled "Ang Plautin ni Periking", about a kindhearted boy with a magical flute and flying carpet.

He was known as "Don Pinoy" but for his magical tales he adopted the character of Lola Basyang, an old woman well-loved by her grandchildren because she regaled them with magical stories about kings, queens, dragons and other incredible creatures.

Lola Basyang's character was closely similar to Mother Goose the imaginary author of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The name was inspired by a woman named Gervacia Guzman De Zamora who was known as "Tandang Basyang".

The stories were published in a special section in Liwayway the oldest Tagalog magazine in the country. The publication began in 1922 and included serialized novels, short stories, poetry, comics, essays, news features, entertainment news and articles, and many others.

Writer Severino Reyes is considered one of the giants of Philippine Literature. Aside from Lola Basyang his most famous play was 'Walang Sugat" a Tagalog zarzeula about the brave Katipuneros during the Spanish occupation.

“From Page to Stage,” Ballet Manila’s (BM) 20th performance season begins on August 21 with Severino Reyes’ “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,” three captivating dance productions of love, fantasy and adventure.

Lola Basyang was the pen name of Severino Reyes the former editor of the famous Tagalog magazine Liwayway back in 1925. In between running the publication he penned enchanting tales about magical kingdoms and strange creatures. The stories were published in a section called "Kuwento ni Lola Basyang."

Reyes wrote over 400 well-loved tales and generated a huge following among magazine readers. Apart from the magical twists, the stories impart heart-tugging lessons on good morals and values which appeal to both to children and adults.Ballet Manila brings back the storybook magic of “Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon,” “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya” and "Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin” on its 20th performance season.

Choreographed by Osias Barroso; set to the melodies of national artists for music as arranged by Mon Faustino, “Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon” is about a princess who falls madly in love with a bird prince. Their love is put to a test when her furious father expresses disapproval over their unusual relationship.

Ballet Manila Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde choregraphed “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya”. Set to the music of Joey Ayala, it tells the story a boy in search of his three sisters who were captured by a beast, as a punishment for their father's greedy streak. The boy strives to fulfill their father's dying wish by coming face to face with the monster that took his sisters.

“Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin.” was choreographed by the late Tony Fabella with music by Ryan Cayabyab. The tale is about a poor worker who was given a violin when he helped an old lady. The enchanting rhythm of the strings sends listeners in a trance bringing about an unusual change in behavior.

"Lola Basyang is part of the Filipino our culture and heritage," explains artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. "We at Ballet Manila are honored to do our share in preserving this wonderful gift, through dance and music."

For the choreography of “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya”, Lisa was immediately moved by the children’s book published by Anvil Publishing, a re-telling of the Severino Reyes story by Christine Bellen, with illustrations by Frances Alcaraz. The music of Joey Ayala further immersed her creative mind allowing her to recreate the story as a dance sequence.

“Joey Ayala gave the music to me piecemeal. First was the Underwater section and family section so I was able to do the sea creatures scene and 3 Marias variations right away which were very classical in structure and choreography. Pedro's, the main character’s solo, is by Gerardo Francisco as I preferred that a man do the choreography for Pedro. And the entire Lion's section corps is done by Ernest Mandap who was visiting from France at that time.”

Of the three Lola Basyang stories that would be presented, Lisa singles out “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya” as the most challenging in terms of production. “We had to tell the story - and that meant many scene changes, costume changes and a huge cast of characters. My ballet I think was the most expensive of the 3 ballets in that aspect. I think the most difficult part was when we had to do the three kingdoms as each kingdom was so different in treatment plus dealing with a huge cast of children, students, scholars and professional dancers.”

She enjoyed creating the family scene, describing it as the most “classical” of all sections. “ I had fun doing the solo variations of the three Marias and the family dance. I love the snake and tree scene because it is so unexpected and dramatic. I also like it when the live animals are pushed onstage, again because it gives an unusual touch to the ballet,” she shared.

Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang promises to be the perfect weekend treat for the whole family. “The kids will like the snake scene and all the live animals on stage.

I also tried to be as "storyteller" as possible - I wanted the scenes and story to be briskly told. Pacing is key. The trilogy is a good experience that needs to be shared by the whole family.” she said.

“Severino Reyes’ ‘Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’” goes onstage at Aliw Theater on August 21, 22, 28, and 29, at 8:00 p.m., and on August 23 & 30 at 3:00 p.m.

The show is co-presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Anvil Publishing, Aliw Theater and Star City. Other sponsors are ACS Manufacturing, First United Travel, Papa John’s Pizza, Manang’s Chicken, Empire Salon, Slimmer’s World, Island Rose, and whatshappening.com.ph.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets, www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891 9999 and the Ballet Manila marketing hotline at 552 7502.

Acknowledgement

Teresa Defensor, Ballet Manila

Ballet Manila Presents Paul Vasterling's "Romeo And Juliet"

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Ballet Manila Stages the Asian Premiere of Paul Vasterling’s Romeo & Juliet

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Ballet Manila Stages Severino Reyes’ “Tatlong Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang”

SJ Valdez

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