Theater Review: Cinderella - Ballet Philippines Offering This Yuletide Season

The Yuletide season is always filled with magic indescribable.  Magic that touches us all, young and old alike.  Such is the magic that Cinderella has - an Alice Reyes ballet piece.

Cinderella is an age old story that nearly all country has a version of.  This year, Ballet Philippines has decided to stage for the fifth time this ballet masterpiece choreographed by no other than Alice Reyes - recently awarded National Artist for Dance.  Part of the magic is the people casted to dance certain roles in this delightful ballet.

Alternating in the role of Cinderella are Denise Parungao and Monica Amanda Gana.  Dancing alternately in the role of Prince Charming are Richardson Yadao and Earl John Arisola and alternately dancing in your hearts as stepmother are Ms. Isabelle Garachon - wife of the French Ambassador to the Philippines and Ms. Margie Moran Floirendo - president of Ballet Philippines. Along with Butch Esperanza (dancing alternately with Paul Alexander Morales - Artistic Director of BP, as king) and the rest of Ballet Philippines, the Cinderella cast is set to deliver a performance that you will not forget.

The set and lights design are created to fully transform an empty stage into all the wonderful scenes of Cinderella; from a manor to a palace to a garden, all presented in a blink of an eye.  The choreography was made in such a way that it shows the strength and versatility of all dancers on stage.  I was able to watched two showings of this ballet piece and was witness to the magic that they deliver.  Two set of cast, same ballet piece, different presentation of the magic of Alice Reyes' creative mind.  All has their own interpretation of their character, thus making each performance different.  Ms. Isabelle Garachon was a delight to see on stage.  After being in hiatus in dancing for 15 years, she hasn't lost her grace and was evident when she performed last November 28.  November 29 was a day for Ms. Margie Moran Floriendo.  Her movements was comical on some scenes, showing her own character interpretation.  Both Denise-Richardson and Monica-Earl team-up was a wonder to see on stage.  All their leaps and turns were precise and sharp that comparing them is not possible.  They have their own interpretation to their characters that each set has its own magic when performing.

This is a 3-act ballet that presents all the needed scenes that we all know in Cinderella.  The magic of transformation, of love at first sight and the ability of human to change for the better.

Catch this wonderful ballet piece on its remaining shows this December 5,6 and 7 at the Nicanor Abelardo Theater (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003. For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

            Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:    www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter:          @balletph

Instagram:    @balletphilippines

YouTube:     https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

  
Share and enjoy the magic of theater thru this ballet piece as you bask in the magic of the yuletide season.

Read my other blog entries regarding this latest production of Ballet Philippines:
PR Release:
http://icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2014/11/pr-ballet-philippines-re-staging-of.html

Production Notes:
http://icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2014/11/pr-ballet-philippines-production-notes.html

See also the complete photo album on my Facebook page:
www.facebook.com/pages/Above-Under-and-Beyond-the-Rainbow/

Photos:
(All images used were personally taken by me during the November 28 and 29 performances)

November 28 Performance

November 29 Performance

Theater Review: Rite of Passage, A Sensitive But Eye Opening Offering from Tanghalang Ateneo

At this day and age, staging a sensitive themed material is something that you expect from a professional theater group and not from a university based guild.  Lo and behold!  Ateneo de Manila's theater guild took a brave stand to present this critically written theater piece.

Tanghalang Ateneo is proud to present Glen Sevilla Mas's Rite of Passage:  Sa Pagtubu kang Tahud (an adaptation of a Kinaray - a short story written by Maria Milagros Geremia Lachica)

Background:

Set in Catungan IV, a quiet barrio in the province of Antique, the play opens with a painful ritual that propels reluctant, young protagonist Isoy into manhood. As he is seduced by the promised pleasures of sex, Isoy bravely confronts his past in a bid to take control of his future, and the truth can be as overwhelming as the lurid images of scantily-clothed women in magazines.

                       

Theater veterans Frances Makil-Ignacio and Teroy Guzman headline the production as Tiyay Susing and Tiyoy Berning. Susing is Isoy’s aunt who was forced to take care of him when his mother left for Olongapo in the company of an American GI. Berning is his uncle, Isoy's role model who, in the course of the play, is forced to confront responsibilities he has ran away from for years.

Promising newcomer Cholo Ledesma plays Isoy, an adolescent boy with raging hormones who tries to defy the odds and find his place in a world dominated by adults.

Camille Abaya portrays Pila, Isoy’s neighbor and friend. Headstrong and independent, all Pila really wants is a quiet future in the province, possibly even with Isoy.

The other members of the cast are Jose delos Reyes as Kardo, a widower who preys after the young women of the barrio, and Chloe Fabul as Mina, a young woman who struggles to maintain her purity in an otherwise voyeuristic environment.

Members of the ensemble include Guelan Luarca, Bok Pioquid, Markus Alcantara, Gab Tibayan, Miguel Barretto, Jerry Cordero, Jego Mallillin, Barth Mariquit, RJ Palma, JR Sanchez, and Jacob Whittaker.

The artistic team is composed of Glenn Sevilla Mas (Playwright and Artistic Director, Tanghalang Ateneo), Ronan B. Capinding (Director), Gwyn Guanzon (Production Designer), Jethro Joaquin (Sound Designer), D. Cortezano (Lights Designer), and Niki Calma (Graphics Designer).

                                       -excerpt is from the press release provided by Mr. Toots Tolentino

The stage was set on a rustic theme with real soil used to help set the theater area.  The music used was indeed effective that it reminded me of the time when I used to visit my aunt's place in the province when I was I a child.  The lights were designed to enhanced that rustic feel without losing the time element effect it was suppose to bring. The costume was also appropriate in terms of style but not in color (the lights were in a yellow tint and the sun dress used by Susing was in red and yellow - not a friendly combination when trying to take shots while they were acting).

The script was writ in English and a local dialect.  It was an interesting word combination play that scenes can stand even with one type of language used and satisfy the authenticity of the play when combined with the dialect.  The way this play was written, it is filled to tickle and awaken the mind of viewers about the lives of people trapped in situations that they have no control of.  Such are the lives of all the characters in this critically written stage piece.  This is not just about the life of Isoy but also the lives of those around him and those who made his life as is.

As for the acting part, Frances Makil-Ignacio and Teroy Guzman was indeed treasures to behold!  Both delivered their parts in such level that you feel them giving life to the characters written by Glen Sevilla Mas.  Cholo Ledesma was casted accordingly for his ability to project his emotions clearly with his expressions even if his skin color is not set for a kid in the province - a minor flaw but not enough to distract the audience from his acting capabilities.

Having only 3 females in the cast, Francis Makil-Ignacio (Susing), Camille Abaya (Pila) and Chloe Fabul (Mina), all played their roles accordingly.  Camille Abaya was a wonder to behold showing the complexity of her character - the feelings of an adolescent female coming to age and the life of a provincial girl.  The role of Chloe Fabul plays an indirect role in the life of Isoy (Cholo Ledesma) but a critical one.  Her actions, as viewed by Isoy, played in the awakening of Isoy's manhood - a very critical point in the whole play.

As a whole, the play was well staged and delivered for a mature audience.  There are no sensitive lines but the delivery of each scenes speaks in volume.  Volumes that come in the form of visual impact and emotional intensity.  All members of the ensemble delivered their parts well that they gelled together painting a clear and haunting picture as envisioned by the playwright and the director of the piece.  This near to 2hrs stage piece is full of both clear and subtle symbolism. True to say that viewers may interpret things differently from the point of view of the director, Ronan Capinding, but all it takes is to have an open mind and a total view of the play and not just scenes in it.

Catch the remaining shows of Rite of Passage:  Sa Pagtubu kang Tahud  this December 2-6, & 9-13 at the Rizal Mini Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University. Shows start promptly at 7 p.m. with 2 p.m. matinee shows on Saturdays.

For inquiries, please contact Acel Go at 0916-480-2195 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Website: www.tanghalangateneo.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

Come and enjoy the beauty and magic of the stage!

Photos:
(All images used were personally taken by me during the press preview)

Scenes from the play:

Pila and Isoy

Berning

Susing

The Cast

The Playwright

The Director:

Theater Review: Scrooge by Repertory Philippines

This year, Repertory Philippines really made this season of giving more spectacular by staging a classic piece good for all ages . . .Scrooge!

Under the artistic hand of Ms.Baby Barredo, this year's production of Scrooge is made more memorable (for me) by its cast and the way this classic musical piece was staged.  From the set to the lights, from the live music (Yes, they made used of live orchestration for this production.  Talk about giving depth with style.) and to the costume, all working together and giving enhancement to the acting and choreography.  Giving life to the vision when this was first made.

Background:

SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is a lively adaptation by renowned writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse of the classic short story ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. It is also based on the 1970 musical film of the same name. The original production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL opened in 1992 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. After a series of UK tours, the show opened at the London Palladium in 2005 where aged stage veteran Tommy Steele took on the leading role. The production continued on tour and was revived again for the 2012-2013 Christmas season at the London Palladium. The musical features all the songs from the film, including the Oscar nominated song ‘Thank You Very Much’, written by Leslie Bricusse.

            The plot of this holiday favorite treat for the entire family begins on Christmas Eve in Victorian London and follows Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey to understanding the real meaning of life and Christmas. Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence, what opportunities he wasted in his youth, his current cruelties, and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways. Scrooge is faced with his own story of growing bitterness and meanness, and must decide what his own future will hold: death or redemption. 
                                                     -excerpt from the press release provided by Mr. Toots Tolentino

This year, alternating as Ebenezer Scrooge are Miguel Faustmann and Chinggoy Alonso.  During the press preview, Miguel Faustmann was a delight to watch onstage.  He brought Ebenezer Scrooge alive with his expressions and voice.  He was Ebenezer Scrooge at that moment.

Seeing familiar people on stage was also a delight that night.  Alexander Cortez, a former director of mine, was something to behold that night.  Seeing him sing, dance and act all at the same time truly marks his right to be the adviser of DUP.  Arnel Carrion, a former stage colleague of mine, is always a wonder on stage.  All his roles are diverse that he is able to deliver it well.  For a tall and big guy (I get to do piggy-backs on him before shows then), he is able to project him self accordingly and share the space with his fellow actors.

Acting as Tiny Tim that night was Gabo Tiongson.  As a child performer, he is good.  His singing voice was clear and light.  The only thing I noticed that was a little off, was the usage of the crutch. There was a scene wherein he was walking with the stick instead of walking using the stick.  A minor thing to totally distract the viewers from his character delivery.

Besides the actors and the music, there are two things truly note worthy in this Repertory production:  the effects and the lesson that the musical carries.  The effects, I won't say much so as not to spoil things; the floating ghost, the door scene . . .YOU HAVE TO WATCH this production to see it.  With the lesson, it is something that is applicable to all ages. Which is exactly the beauty of this musical!  It is not bonded by its theme.  It gives lesson to kids and make adults reflect on how he is truly living his life at the present. This is truly a musical for the whole family!

For details of the show, you may contact them thru the following ways:

            By phone      :           843-3570 and 451-1474

            By e-mail       :           shows@repertoryphilippines.com

            By Internet   :           http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

           Facebook      :           www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter           :           www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram     :           www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube      :           www.youtube.com/repphils

You can catch Repertory Philippines production of Scrooge at Onstage, 2nd level of Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City till December 14, 2014.  Bring your friends and the whole family and see the wonder of theater this Yuletide Season!

Visit also my facebook page (www.facebook.com/pages/Above-Under-and-Beyond-the-Rainbow) to see my photo album regarding Scrooge.  You may also read my other blog entry regarding the man behind this wonderful musical, Mr. Leslie Bricusse (http://icemagehigh.blogspot.com/2014/11/pr-know-person-behind-magic-of-scrooge.html)

Photos:
(All photos used were personally taken by me during the press preview event)

Miguel Faustmann as Ebenezer Scrooge

Scrooge visited by the Spirit of Christmas Past 

Dance scene of Mr. and Mrs. Fezziwig
(Alexander Cortez and Sheila Francisco)

Arnel Carrion as the Young Ebenezer