What a better way to open a ballet studio and launch a new season than complementing it with the sunset at the Manila Bay? That’s what I’ve witnessed as the Ballet Philippines proudly announced its 45th season line up together with the opening of its new studio at CCP complex.
This year’s season is referred as the Sapphire season as its former founder and artistic director Alice Reyes once said that at every end of their season, though they’re operating in red, the company somehow still survived.
From 18 dancers, the number has grown larger to 45. Thus, they saw the need to put up the 200 sq.m Studio One to accommodate more members. The Studio One was built from four container vans donated by shipping heiress Doris Magsaysay-Ho and still on the process of renovation.
The Sapphire season will restage the revival of some of the Ballet Philippines’ popular works.
Starting off is the return of Agnes Locsin’s award-winning masterpiece La Revolucion Filipina (CCP Main Theater- July 25-27, 2014) in commemoration with the 150th birth anniversary of its lead character Apolinario Mabini- the brain of Katipunan.
Next to the line up is The Blue Moon Series (CCP Main Theater- September 19-28, 2014). It is a two-week celebration and fundraising series which will feature three programs in a festival celebrating the company and its works. These programs are:
Giselle (September 19-21)
The Blue Moon Gala (September 26-27)
The Homecoming Gala (September 28)
The third will left you in awe as Alice Reyes takes her unique approach in retelling the quintessential rags to riches fairytale through her Cinderella (CCP Main Theater- November 28-30, December 5-7, 2014) . This for sure will bring laughter, merriment and romance to the holiday season.
The 45th season will end with the return of the legendary rock musical Manhid (CCP Main Theater- February 20-28, March 1-8, 2015), co-presented by Tanghalang Pilipino. It is a must-watch event for 2015 as it will also features songs from the Eraserheads and will be directed and choreographed by notable personalities in their fields.
For inquiries, visit Ballet Philippines’ website or call them at 551-1003. You may also get updates by following them on Facebook. For tickets and reservations, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
Cover: Hamid Hassan of IM Models and Dada Wolf 
