Ballet Philippines and Alice Reyes presents Cinderella

Experience Grimm's fairy tale Cinderella in another telling through Ballet Philippines' performance through the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Ballet Philippines gives Cinderella a fifth restaging and 33rd anniversary tribute to the well-loved ballet musical.

"What we, at Ballet Philippines, would hope for is that our re-telling of the treasured children's story of ‘Cinderella’ will fill the hearts of all in the audience with child-like joy and wonder and an early sprinkling of holiday cheer for the coming Christmas season," says Alice Reyes, who was named National Artist for Dance earlier this year. Reyes is also Ballet Philippines’ founder and Artistic Director Emeritus.

The role of Cinderella will be played by Soloist Denise Parungao and Junior Company Member Monica Amanda Gana. This is Gana's first lead role with Ballet Philippines, while Parungao was last seen in the title role of Ballet Philippines’ “Giselle” in 2013 and 2014. Playing opposite them as Prince Charming are Principal Dancers Jean Marc Cordero and Richardson Yadao.

Madame Isabelle Garachon, wife of the French Ambassador to the Philippines and former professional dancer, will be playing the role of Cinderella's wicked stepmother, alternating with Ballet Philippines President Margie Moran Floirendo.

For all kids and kids at heart, Cinderella will be shown from November 28 to December 7 at Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo in CCP.

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KATY The Musical Mall Shows

catch Isay Alvarez and the rest of the cast of KATY! The Musical on the following dates at SM Malls:

Jan 4/6pm SM City Pampanga
Jan 5/5pm SM Southmall
Jan 6/4pm SM Fairview
Jan 12/5pm SM Megamall

with Isay are the powerhouse cast of Tirso Cruz III, Gian Magdangal, Epy Quizon, Dulce, Aicelle Santos, Lou Veloso, Tricia Jimenez. this is produced by Spotlight Artists Centre.

you may get your tickets at Php 1000 and Php 1500 by calling 899-8089 or 09228986644.

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Isay Alvarez portrays celebrated Katy De la Cruz in KATY The Musical

the life of famous Filipino Bodabil star, Katy De la Cruz will be portrayed by Isay Alvarez in the rerun of the musical, KATY! starting January 17 - 27 2013 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino. the production is produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines together with Spotlight Artists Center.

Catalina De la Cruz, known as Katy, was also known as the Queen of Filipino Bodabil and Queen of Filipino Jazz for her stellar performances for the two musical genres in which she performs for 8 decades.

at age 18, she was the highest-paid performer in the Philippines. in her career, she also appeared in movies and received a Best Supporting Actress Award at the FAMAS in 1953 for the film Inspirasyon. on stage, she was along with other chorus girls performing at an opera house in Manila with Chichay, Etang Discher, Patsy, and Mary Walter.

in this musical, we will witness her life and career together with other great musical performers like Dulce and Epi Quizon who will portray his father Dolphy in his younger years. they will be joined by Tirso Cruz III, Gian Magdangal, Lou Veloso, and Tricia Jimenez.

for ticket inquiries, you may call 899-8089 or 09228986644.

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oh yes! I'm spreading rumors!

yes, i've heard this myself and i'm very excited to bring teasers in my Twitter account about two musicals coming to Manila.

on July 2013, the sexy Broadway musical, DIRTY DANCING will strot its way to CCP. we'll definitely sing along with Time of My Life and remember how Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey did it on the dance floor as Johnny Castle and Frances Houseman in the movies.

and on January 2014, my fantasies on seeing the back story of The Wizard of Oz will finally be true when they will bring WICKED the musical here in the Philippines. i should not let this pass because i got really sad when i missed Mamma Mia and The Phantom of the Opera.

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40 pianos, over 300 pianists, 1 stage, 1 night

tonight is be the grandest concert featuring over 300 pianists of the Piano Teacher's Guild of the Philippines. celebrating 40 years of existence from its founding on 1962, the PTGP sets 40 pianos in the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP) stage to serenade everyone in this never before heard concert.

entitled FORTE @ 40, the suites will be conducted by Dr. Herminigildo Ranera and Daniel Bartolome with PTGP teachers, students past and present PTGP board members aged 8-80. this also include performers like CCP President Dr. Raul Sunico, concert pianists Della Besa and Annie De Guzman, Fr. Manuel Maramba, OSB, Carmen Padilla, Nita Abrograr-Quinto, Philippine Madrigal Singers choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, UST Singers’ conductor Fidel Calalang, Najib Ismail, Mary Anne Espina, and many more.

highlighting the concert is the world premiere of Mga Gintong Pamana by Augusto “Agot” Espino, commissioned by the Piano Teachers' Guild of the Philippines which will showcase "40 pianos, 80 players, 2 per piano" playing the parts - a first of its kind in the history of Philippine music. this masterpiece pays tribute to the Great Filipino composers, namely: Nicanor Abelardo, Dr. Francisco Santiago, Francisco Buencamino, Sr., Dr. Antonio Molina, Rosendo Santos, Jr., Lucio San Pedro, Felipe De Leon, Sr., Ramon Tapales, Dr. Lucrecia Kasilag, and Rodolfo Cornejo who have made unparalleled contributions to the Philippine piano literature.

for inquiries and details of show, special group discounts for schools, please email askptgp@yahoo.com. visit ptgpinc.wordpress.com. and like http://www.facebook.com/PTGPInc on Facebook.

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4TH NATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL opens this week!

in celebration of Philippine arts and culture, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) holds the 4th National Theater Festival on November 8 - 18 2012 at the CCP theaters.

i am familiar of 6 of the 18 productions from different all-Filipino theater groups who will perform in the festival. i'm actually looking forward to restaging of these productions and would like to see all of them (crossed fingers).

LIVIN' LA VIDA IMELDA performed by Carlos Celdran. well it mainly talks about Imelda Marcos' life. her glory as the former first lady and her downfall after the Martial Law. it is another approach by Carlos Celdran in presenting history where he is very well-informed about.

OROSMAN AT ZAFIRA, the musical which i fell in love with Dulaang UP. and continued to support until its commercial release last year. this awit by Francisco Baltazar talks about the greed between three tribes and the love of our two protagonists which conquers all.

SAYAW NG MGA SENIORITA is a farse about the life of gays in their golden years. Gantimpala Theater brings known film personalities Soxie Topacio, Bb Gandanghari, Arnel Ignacio, Joel Lamangan and Manny Castañeda in this story of love, success and despair of the gays.

the award-winning WILLIAM by PETA is also joining the line up. a Shakespearean musical sang in rap genre to cope up with the new generation. also one of my favorites.

Tanghalang Pilipino brings two productions and STAGESHOW is one that i have to see. i heard that Liesl Batucan is great in this production which will open the festival season. she will be on the November 8, 3PM show. and another is WALANG KUKURAP -- that Layeta Bucoy play which squirts blood to the audience. a highly-political drama which i also recommend for everyone to see.

you can also check the other productions. check the schedule in the CCP website. you can get tickets by calling the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

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STOMP review

i saw the video. and it's a great privilege for me to see it live at the CCP Main Theater. STOMP is a one of a kind show that i shouldn't miss. apart from the usual and traditional instruments in music, STOMP performs in a very experimental, yet entertaining show using common items which can be found anywhere. you house, the garbage, or the construction site. the show runs from October 18 - 23 in a limited 8 shows only.

as i enter the CCP Main Theater, a simple set with pans, water drums, mops, anything resembling a cluttered garage faces the audience. then starting the show is one of them sweeping with a brush mop then others follow. a cool opening number with brushing sound and pounds with the handles creating a nice beat. one other nice thing about the performances is the synchronization of their moves to the beats created and the lighting effects is so awesome.

rather than noise, STOMP brought beats into a whole new appreciation. managing to bring humor and entertainment towards the audience with their acts. you can also see how their bodies have built with all the forces and strength coordinating the moves and creating the beat. my favorite part is a little beat slow but there are tones coming from tubes of different sizes. you will also be engaged to the show when they give you a beginner's guide to STOMP.

we may be at awe with the show at STOMP. but even we Filipinos can do the same show. besides, the streets are also the stage for some show. we can even create sound using leafs.

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CATS: Now and Forever in Manila

i thought i won't be able to catch CATS on CCP, the longest-running and greatest musical of all time. good thing there are kind-hearted people who are willing to share their blessings. with that, i really thank those people who made this dream come true.



and so it begins, the Jellicle Cats assemble for the Jellicle Ball which happens every year. the moon is bright on the dumpsite and it's the Jellicle Cats biggest event. it is also that night that their leader Old Deuteronomy announces which cat goes to Heavenside Layer. with all the fun of dance and music by the Jellicle Cats, Grizabella appears and would like to get back to the tribe. fellow Jellicle cats don't accept her immediately but then declares her pain and sufferings from the outside world, the cats understood and brought her back and she goes to Heavenside Layer, the happy place.


the musical is based on TS Eliot's book, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. and since i am a fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber, i really enjoyed getting inside CCP and amazed with the stage and performances. cats is the most colorful production i have seen and you will not get bored on the dances and music. Lea Salonga who played Grizabella is exceptional! she sang Memory which captured the hearts of everybody.

the stage is really amazing. the lighting and effects give the real picture of the dumpsite. and the dancers, they really act like real cats! the movements are as graceful as cat movements. and you might be turning yourself into a cat too if you understand how they are.

CATS: Now and Forever with the Broadway cast and featuring Lea Salonga as Grizabella started last July 22 at the CCP and will definitely run until August 22 2010. so catch it in these remaining play dates:
• August 17, Tuesday 8:00 PM
• August 18, Wednesday 8:00 PM
• August 19, Thursday 8:00 PM
• August 20, Friday 8:00 PM
• August 21, Saturday 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM
• August 22, Sunday 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM

see ticket prizes here

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