‘Ibong Adarna’takes flight in Ballet Manila’s season opener
When Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde asked principal dancer and resident choreographer Gerardo Francisco to create a ballet based on the timeless Filipino tale about a beguiling mythical bird with miraculous powers, the vision they shared was crystal clear.
Lisa says, “We both wanted it to be original and unique but with distinct references to our cultural identity; a celebration of collaborative efforts between talented dancers, actors, and musical artists… With amazing costumes, sets, lighting and special effects… In short, we wanted it to be a jaw-dropping, larger-than-life epic!”
Armed with this grand design and almost two years of planning and preparation, their dream venture finally culminates in the unveiling of one of the company’s most ambitious projects: the world premiere of Francisco’s Ibong Adarna.
Leading the cast are BM’s top danseurs Rudy de Dios, Romeo Peralta, Mark Sumaylo, Elpidio Magat, Rudolph Capongcol, and Anselmo Dictado, who alternate in the roles of the three brotherprinces who embark on a perilous search for the elusive Adarna bird, which will be brought to life by soloist Abigail Oliveiro and principal Katherine Barkman, together with guest artist Gia Macuja-Atchison as the singing Adarna and theater actor Bodjie Pascua as the Ermitanyo. Sets and costumes are by Make it Happen Workshop, lighting design by Jay Aranda, and script by Angela Ureta. Ballet Manila’s world premiere of Ibong
Adarna spreads its wings on Aug. 26, 6 p.m., and Sept. 2 (at 6 p.m.) and on Aug. 27 and Sept. 3 (3 p.m.) at the Aliw Theater. Tickets for Ibong Adarna are now available at all TicketWorld outlets, online via www.ticketworld.com.ph and through 891-9999.