PR: Ballet Philippines Production Notes on 2014's Re-staging of Cinderella

1981

Alice Reyes’ “Cinderella” had its premiere in 1981, fulfilling the choreographer’s desire to create a ballet for children. Instead of simply using the Prokofiev score that most Cinderella ballets are choreographed to, she enlisted the help of Rudy Vidad, who compiled a music collage of works by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Thus, the score includes pieces from the ballets “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty”, the opera “Eugene Onegin”, and lesser-known works such as “The Seasons” and “Souvenir de Florence”.

In most Cinderella ballets, it is not uncommon for the roles of Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters to be played by male dancers. For this production, however, Reyes chose to feature three comically gifted women. Malu Rivera as Brunhilda (the stepmother), and Hazel Sabas and Edna Vida as Prunella and Griselda (the stepsisters). A key element in the resulting laughs was that Vida wanted to be cast as the lead, and her indignation translated well into her portrayal of the role.

The ever-graceful Fairy Godmother was played by guest ballet mistress Luminita Dumitrescu and principal dancer Ester Rimpos. Prince Charming, on the other hand, was played by the very princely Nonoy Froilan, Robert Medina, and Brando Miranda.

The title role of Cinderella calls for bright-eyed, young ballerinas. In this premiere cast, Maricar Drilon, Gina Mariano, and Cecile Sicangco alternated the role.

            Mere weeks before the ballet was set to open, Manila was struck by a typhoon and CCP lost its electricity. Rehearsals, however, went on as scheduled, with the use of flashlights and a battery-powered boombox.

1984

The 1984 restaging of the ballet gave the artistic team the opportunity to improve some dances and incorporate new technical “tricks”. Ester Rimpos played the Fairy Godmother again, alternating with Mercedes Mañago. Nonoy Froilan also reprised his role as Prince Charming, alternating with Butch Esperanza and Jinn Ibarrola. Cinderella was played by Cecile Sicangco, Gina Katigbak, and Toni Lopez Gonzalez, who was part of the corps de ballet when the show premiered.

Hazel Sabas and Edna Vida played Prunella and Griselda again, this time alternating with Noordin Jumalon (who was to become a longtime CCP Dance School Director) and Conrad Dy-Liacco, respectively. Ballet Philippines’ ballet master William Morgan played the stepmother Brunhilda, alternating with Julian Morgan, chairman of the Society for Ballet Philippines and wife of the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Philippines.

This production featured four guest narrators in its matinees: Nanette Inventor, Mitch Valdes, Tessie Ojeda-Luz, and Christopher Upton, who is also Alice Reyes’ son.

1989

“Cinderella” was once again staged in 1989, Alice Reyes’ final year as Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director. Toni Lopez Gonzalez top-billed the production as a guest artist from Washington Ballet, opposite Nonoy Froilan. They alternated with Cecile Sicangco and Jun Mabaquiao, and Gina Katigbak and Amuer Calderon. Sicangco and Katigbak also played the Fairy Godmother.

Brunhilda was played by a male dancer, Paul Ocampo, but this production featured four new females alternating as the stepsisters: Regina Debuque and Wendy Panganiban as Prunella, and Sofia Zobel and Tina Fargas as Griselda.

2002

The most recent restaging of “Cinderella” was in 2002, under the Artistic Directorship of Denisa Reyes. The ballet was restaged by Ida Beltran Lucila, who watched the original and danced in the 1989 production. She recalls being “nervous at the prospect of Alice watching rehearsals.”

The cast featured Christine Crame, Camille Ordinario, and Kris-Belle Paclibar as Cinderella; Clark Rambuyon, Irish Abejero, and Jojo Mamangun as Prince Charming; Joy Coronel and Alden Lugnasin as Brunhilda; Neil Cambay as Prunella; Orlan de Leon as Griselda, and Verna Fajilan as the Fairy Godmother.

2014

Preparations for this year’s production of “Cinderella” began in the summer of 2014. Featured as the title character are Denise Parungao and Monica Amanda Gana. This is Gana’s debut role for Ballet Philippines. Playing opposite them as Prince Charming are principal dancers Richardson Yadao and Jean Marc Cordero. Taking on the role of Brunhilda are BP President Margie Moran Floirendo and Isabelle Garachon, wife of the French ambassador to the Philippines.

CINDERELLA: CHARACTER PROFILES

Cinderella

The beautiful and kindhearted daughter of a nobleman. Orphaned and left under the care of his second wife, Brunhilda, she was reduced to the post of a servant in her own house.

Prince Charming

The eldest of three brothers, he enjoys the comfort and leisure that come with life as a royal. Naturally contemplative, he starts to wonder what more lies in store for him.   

Brunhilda

A twice-widowed woman made rich by her first husband (a tax collector) and respectable by her second (a nobleman, Cinderella’s father). She loves her own daughters Prunella and Griselda dearly, and is eager for them to marry up into royalty.

Prunella & Griselda

Cinderella’s vain, awkward, and utterly unrefined stepsisters. Disdainful of the servant girl’s natural beauty and grace, they make her life difficult with their endless demands.

King Christopher Rupert Vladimir Alexander Francois Reginald Herman

The jolly and beloved father of the three Princes and a kind, benevolent leader of the kingdom. He is getting old and anxious for his sons to settle down, marry, and finally give him grandchildren.

Prince Desire & Prince Fortune

Prince Charming’s brothers and the hapless targets of the stepsisters’ charms. More easygoing than their brother, they are happy and contented with their lives as young royals.

Fairy Godmother

Cinderella’s guardian ever since she was orphaned. Kindness personified, she rewards Cinderella’s good deeds and gentle nature. Ultimately, she helps her to find love and live happily ever after.