“Highlights,” Second Season

CEBU, Philippines -  Tomorrow night - Friday, August 22 - the Queen City Metropolitan Ballet Theatre holds the opening performance of its second season, in a gala show titled "Highlights" at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel at 8:15 p.m. The diversified and highly entertaining dance performance consists of:

Diana and Actaeon

(Pugni/ Petipa & Vaganova)

This piece is loosely based on the Greek myth of the hunter, Actaeon, chancing upon the goddess Diana while she and her maidens were bathing in the spring. It features a showcase pas de deux which has been alternately described as "daring" and "vivid."

Born to Dance

(Schuman/ C. Manlunas)

A newly-commissioned work, this one highlights the athleticism and virtuosity of three danseurs whose passion is the classical dance.

Le Spectre de la Rose

(Weber/ Fokine)

This is a choreographic tableau about a young girl returning from her first ball. Fatigued by excitement, she falls asleep on a chair. Then she dreams that the rose is dancing with her. When she flies through the window, she awakens, still under the spell of a rose. This ballet became famous for the leap Nijinsky made through a window at the ballet's end.

Townspeople Ballabile

(Delibes/ Ashton-Bournonville)

From the ballet "Napoli," this divertissement, bright, cheerful, and in perpetual motion, reflects the vibrancy of the city Naples, Italy.

Mayon

(S. Manlunas/ Beuncamino)

An interpretation of the well-known piano piece by Buencamino, featuring the bucolic life of the Bicolanos before this was interrupted by the violent eruption of Mayon volcano.

Kulintangan

(C. Manlunas/ Various)

An exciting, contemporary piece with Muslim overtones.

Here Comes the Navy

(patterned after Balanchine/ Hershey Kay)

To the catchy music from the movie "The Bridge of the River Kwai," this piece invites all to join the "sailorettes" in their coquettish romp.

Excerpts from the ballet "Sylvia"(Ashton/ Delibes)

This number includes Nymphs and Satyrs, Grand Pas de Deux, Pas des Ethiopens, Pas des Chevres, and Galop.

This performance of "Highlights" promises to be such a delight. The program lasts approximately 90 minutes. It is made possible through the support of Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Philippine Pediatric Society-Central Visayas Chapter, Biogesic, Mango Square Dance Studio, and CCTN.

Children below three years old are not allowed to the show. Inquiries may be phoned in to 0905-553-9082. (FREEMAN)