A magical show with The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess

There are some performances you watch, and there are some performances that stay with you for a long time. Seeing Ballet Manila's Rebel: EDSA 30 a couple of months ago is definitely one of the highlights of my year because even though I don't dance, ballet holds a special place in my four year old-self's heart. The costumes and set design were simple yet tastefully done, the performances were outstanding, the dances perfectly executed, and the overall production was A+! I was moved to tears several times because it was just too beautiful for words.

And so now I am looking forward to the second act of Ballet Manila's 21st season. If you are still pondering on possible plans for this coming weekend, I suggest you go get a ticket to The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess at the Aliw Theater.

It promises to bring together some of today’s most esteemed names in the international and local art scene for an unforgettable showcase of talent and mastery of their respective crafts, and I am excited to lap it all up.

A production that pays tribute to one of the world’s most distinguished composers, Peter Tschaikovsky, whose masterpieces are immortalized in classical ballet, The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess goes on stage on October 14 and 15 at 8:00 PM and on October 16 at 3:00 PM at the Aliw Theater. It features excerpts from three of the master composer’s most celebrated works, namely Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and The Sleeping Beauty. 

The ballet company is also bringing together some of the world’s most notable artists for this production, including Kremlin Ballet Theater’s Premier Danseur, Mikhail Martynyuk, and Maestro Alexander Vikulov of the Mariinsky Theater who will be conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra for the ballet’s live musical scoring. In addition, veteran theater and TV actor Miguel Faustmann will assume the role of Peter Tchaikovsky. 

Joining these masters are some of Ballet Manila’s strongest Vaganova Academy style-trained danseurs and ballerinas including Abigail Oliveiro who will dance the role of Odette, Dawna Mangahas who is playing the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, and Katherine Barkman who will dance as the well-loved princess Aurora.

I've had the chance to sit in on a few of their interviews with media people and I am so amazed at how humble and down-to-earth they all are, as if they're not fairies without wings when they set foot on the stage!

We all need beauty and magic in our lives, and ballet gives those and more. I hope we can help uplift this art form by supporting and seeing Ballet Manila's shows. The ticket also includes a Ride All You Can stub to Star City, which is valid up to seven days after the show. What a steal!

Are you going to watch this weekend? I'm going to the 3:00 PM Sunday show. See you at the ballet!