Auditions for Singers for Ballet Philippines' Tales of the Manuvu

Ballet Philippines is holding auditions for singers for its new production of Tales of the Manuvu, a dance-musical based on the Manuvu myth of creation directed by Paul Morales with new choreography by Alden Lugnasin, with performances scheduled on Oct. 23, 24 & 25 at the CCP Main Theater. Auditions will be held on August 25, Tuesday 5:00-8:00pm at the CCP Silangan Hall and Aug 28, Friday 6:00-9:00pm at Arts in the City, FVR Park, 26th St., Bonifacio Arts Center.

Tales of the Manuvu is seeking for 2 pop tenors, 1 baritone, 1 alto/soprano, and 8 singers for the chorus to complete the cast of the new production under the musical direction of Jed Balsamo and Diwa De Leon, and accompanied live by Makiling.

Created by founding Artistic Director Alice Reyes with libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera in 1977, Tales of the Manuvu, a pop rock opera ballet, was one of Ballet Philippines' biggest hits and featured collaborations with leading singers including Boy Camara, Haji Alejandro, Leo Valdez, Isay Alvarez and Celeste Legaspi. Tales of the Manuvu also discovered Leah Navarro and launched her career.

Applicants should prepare 1 Filipino pop ballad or "Noong Unang Panahon", the hit single from Manuvu composed by Dero Pedero. Applicants may bring a music score or minus-one for their audition. Applicants may submit their bio-data or resume to info@balletphilippines.org.

For more information, please call Melissa at 832-3689.

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Ballet Philippines Unveils Its New Beginnings

Ballet Philippines’ continues its celebration of 39 years of dancing with its second production of the season, NEW BEGINNINGS. Opening on Friday, October 17, 2008 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines , the wide-ranging program is highlighted by the company premiere of Alvin Ailey’s acclaimed NIGHT CREATURE. New to the Ballet Philippines’ repertoire are company and Philippine premieres of Max Luna III’s MGA AWIT and THE HURT WE EMBRACE and Alan Hineline’s THRESHOLDS II.

First staged in 1974 for his own company, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, this internationally acclaimed work has been described by the New York Times as “One of Mr. Ailey’s happiest works. It has a joyful pulse, a sophisticated entente with its sophisticated music that carries on the best of the Ellington tradition.” The inclusion of NIGHT CREATURE in this season’s programming was a natural choice. Artistic Director Max Luna III’s involvement with Alvin Ailey organization as dancer, choreographer and teacher spans a period of over 20 years. The work was restaged in Manila for Ballet Philippines by BP alumna and former Alvin Ailey principal dancer, Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish and is set to the music by American jazz music legend, Duke Ellington.

In keeping with the artistic directors’ strong belief in the importance of live music and keen desire to re-introduce it to the Ballet Philippines’ audience, Max Luna III’s MGA AWIT will be performed live. Luna uses Filipino composer Michael Dadap’s stunning trio for tenor, cello and piano, “Mga Awit ng Pag-ibig,” as a source of inspiration to explore the complex world of male camaraderie. MGA AWIT features 12 male dancers of Ballet Philippines in an athletic, sensitive and masculine exploration of the Luna/Dadap work.

In a recent interview, Luna described his work, THE HURT WE EMBRACE, as a depiction of the treatment of women in mid-twentieth century Filipino Society. The work, a duet for a male and female couple, explores the complexities and vagaries of their relationship. THE HURT WE EMBRACE was originally created for Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish, Honorary Gala Chairperson of this year’s New Beginnings Gala, and premiered for his own company, LUNA.

Artistic Director Alan Hineline has collaborated with U.S. composer Jerome Begin to create THRESHOLDS II. The ballet and score were originally commissioned and premiered by the Dayton Ballet in March of 2008, just prior to Hineline’s arrival in the Philippines to assume duties at helm of BP. Collaborators for many years, THRESHOLDS II, is the eighth in a series of works by the two artists. Over the years, the process of making new work together has evolved into collaboration in the truest sense of the word – an on-the-spot pairing of music and dance which ties the music directly to the choreography. Critics have said “Hineline successfully integrates classical ballet with contemporary dance movement in a way that encourages one to view both styles anew. He propels the dancers through space on pointe one second, but in the next moment, is just as likely to have them turn by pivoting on their heels, jutting their hips out to the side.”

NEW BEGINNINGS is made possible in part thanks to the gracious support of Ayala Land Premiere, Olay, Philippine Tatler, Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Liwayway Marketing Corp., BMW, Globe Telecom, Cathay Pacific and Fiori di M. The performances of NIGHT CREATURE are made possible through the generous support of Imelda Cojuangco.

NEW BEGINNINGS’ schedule is as follows: Oct. 17 ( 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. ), Oct. 18 ( 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. ) and Oct. 19 ( 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. ). For information about ticket prices, subscription and the season’s performances, please call 551-0221 and 551-1003, email info@balletphilippines.org or check its website at http://www.balletphilippines.org.

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Ballet Philippines Presents Rizal Revisited / Double Takes

BALLET PHILIPPINES PRESENTS:

RIZAL REVISITED/DOUBLE TAKES

SCRIPT/LIBRETTO: FLOY QUINTOS

CHOREOGRAPHY:
BAM DAMIAN
ALDEN LUGNASIN
JEFFREY ESPEJO

GUEST ARTIST:
BONNIE PICKARD
Principal Dancer, Suzanne Farrell Ballet,
Principal Dancer, BalletNY

Cultural Center of the Philippines
CCP Main Theater
August 10, 2007 (3pm & 8pm)
August 11, 2007 (3pm & 8pm)
August 12, 2007 (3pm)

(*Dates subject to change)

A one night, two billing performance, Ballet Philippines will take its audience through ruminations on our National Hero, Jose Rizal in Rizal Revisited. Like an easy stroll down memory lane, select memoirs of Jose Rizal's life unfold through dance. An educational experience as well as an artistic encounter, the first half of the evening brings together Philippine history with a fresh sense of contemporary movement.

The performance begins with a young boy cramming for his exam. He gets on the MRT while studying his book on Jose Rizal. As in a dream, the commuters on the train begin mouthing Rizal's words from "Noli Me Tangere", "El Filibusterismo" and "Letter to the Women of Malolos". This leads into "Mi Ultimo Adios", which is the first full dance interpretation.

The MRT station transforms into the boat "Tabo" as the end of "Mi Ultimo Adios" is reached.

The stage transforms once again and highlights from "El Filibusterismo" and "Noli Me Tangere" are presented, introducing Rizal's characters Simoun, the jeweller: Doña Victorina and her beautiful niece, Paulina. Don Custodio, Father Salvi, Father Damaso. Ibarra, Maria Clara, Sisa, Dona Consolacion, to name a few.

The story takes us to the boy reading "The Letter to the Women of Malolos" as it is interpreted in dance set to classical music.

Rizal Revisited ends in Dapitan, depicting the last moments of Rizal to his death by firing squad. All the characters in Rizal's stories appear with old and young Filipinos solemnly viewing his body.

The boy takes his book, touches Rizal with the book, cradles it as the lights fade out.

Ballet Philippines' Double Takes is an ambitious project inspired by a piece created by Geminal Casado, Artistic Director and choreographer of the Karlsruhe Ballet, Germany . Casado interpreted the same etude of Baroque music with simultaneous genres of dance – while a modern-based choreography was being performed on stage, a classical version to the very same music was taking place in the orchestra pit. Ballet Philippines ' version will take this idea a notch further.

The exhibit "Jose Rizal: Noli Me Tangere – oil paintings by Leandro V. Cruz" will be featured at the Main Theater Lobby.

Be a Ballet Philippines Subscriber!!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW
to Ballet Philippines' Rizal Revisited / Double Takes!!!

Tickets available at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Box Office, TicketWorld outlets and through Ballet Philippines Tel#: 5510221;5511003; 8326011 / Fax: 5510144

Ballet Philippines' Email: balletphilippines@pldtdsl.net

Ballet Philippines' Website: www.ballet.com.ph

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Ballet Philippines' Neo-Filipino: Espana Extension

Hola Amigos y Amigas,

Before you make your plans for the coming weekend, pencil in Ballet Philippines' Neo-Filipino: Espana Extension on March 2 (8pm) and 3 (3pm & 8pm) at the CCP Main Theater.

We intend to end our 37th Season with the unforgettable performances of:

The Guitar Friends Ensemble: Antonio O. Cojuangco, Ma-an Hontiveros, Maestro Jose Valdez, Greg Yu, Vince Abella, Tabo Derecho, Anthony Nadal, Jady Vitug, Dr. Diony Cruz, and Richie Griner;
Angel Gomez;
Emma Estrada & the Centro Flamenco Dancers;
Our very own Ballet Philippines Dancers;
With Production Design by Tats Manahan, Choreographies by Bam Damian, Alden Lugnasin, Rose Borromeo, Emma Estrada, and guest choreographer David Russo,
... It will be a show you must not miss!

Get your tickets now from all TicketWorld outlets, the CCP Box Office, the Ballet Philippines Office (Tel: 551-0221; 551-1003; or 832-6011) or make your reservations through me by text messaging.

Ballet Philippines' Neo-Filipino: Espana Extension ... DON'T MISS IT!

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