'A pinoy christmas,' 'The nutcracker' In free ballet concert

CEBU, Philippines - One of the most loved classic Christmas stories in the world and a depiction of the uniqueness of Filipino Christmas traditions will be staged in "A Christmas Ballet Concert" featuring the acts A Pinoy Christmas and excerpts from The Nutcracker on November 27 and 28, 2 pm and 6 pm at the Ayala Center Cebu Activity Center.

The Ayala Malls has teamed up with Steps Dance Project to produce this one-hour special ballet presentation that will be performed through November and December.

"We wanted to put together a first-rate performance which is free for the public. We wanted something that was very Filipino and would reflect the Christmas spirit, thus we came up with Pinoy Christmas and chose Nutcracker," said Steps Dance Project director and founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde.

Pinoy Christmas is choreographed by Steps dance project manager and in-house choreographer James Laforteza, whom Elizalde describes as a "great choreographer and a master storyteller."

It is an artistic interpretation through song and dance of the traditions (such as Misa de Gallo, Simbang Gabi, Noche Buena, caroling, sights of the belen and parols, etc) that we Filipinos cherish during Christmas. The dances promise to depict the love that abounds in the hearts of all Filipinos in this season of giving, with music for the production based on two of acclaimed musician Ryan Cayabyab's award-winning records: PASKO I and II.

"It is based on my experiences as a boy growing up. You know, we have the traditional parols, the excitement of the Noche Buena, and children who are excited to see their ninongs and ninangs...This is what this new piece Pinoy Christmas is all about," Laforteza said.

Meanwhile, The Nutcracker Ballet Act 2, The Kingdom of Sweets, will be restaged by Cebuano guest choreographer Jeffrey Espejo. He started his training in classical ballet at the age of 15 as a scholar of Philippine Ballet Theater under the tutelage of Osias Barosso and Lisa Macuja. Among his memorable roles are Basilio in Don Quixote, The Prince in Nutcracker, Siegfried in Swan Lake and The Prince in Sleeping Beauty.

Act 2 will begin with the famous Grand Waltz of the Roses, featuring the Sugar Plum Fairy, who is the Queen of the Candy Kingdom, with the gallant Nutcracker Prince as her partner.

This will then lead to the magical world of the Candy Kingdom, with dazzling dance set pieces that represent the many different sweets and candies from all over the world — the fiery Russian dance representing Marozna, a Russian ice cream; the delicate Chinese dance representing tea; a dance that evokes the richness of chocolate from Spain; an Arabian suite which evokes the aroma of coffee; and lastly, the Mirlitons which are colorful Christmas candy canes.

This act ends with the world-famous grand pas de deux danced by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Nutcracker Prince.

Directed by Elizalde, together with choreographers Laforteza and Espejo, set and costume designer Gino Gonzales, and light designer Katsch Catoy, this is a ballet performance that children and their families would enjoy.

"This is a fun, happy, feel-good concert that's perfect for families. We hope they can feel the spirit of Christmas through this concert," added Elizalde.

For those who want to watch the concert, just present a P500 receipt from any Ayala store or P200 receipt from the grocery department so that you can get one entry pass good for two.

In the event's presscon last Tuesday at the Laguna Garden Cafe at the Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu's Janice Parreno likewise announced the mall's series of Christmas events which include a show with balladeer Christian Bautista on Dec. 17, concerts with the country's famous choir groups and a fireworks extravaganza. (THE FREEMAN)