Barbie comes alive

Breathes there a little girl who does not know Barbie or who never fantasized of a Barbie world. For that matter breathes there a kid, including little boys, who does not know Barbie. The famous dress-up doll has been part of childhood for more than 50 years and has now also invaded movie and television screens, storybooks, the Internet and the musical theater.

How Barbie’s charm and traditional values translates into a live performance is what children in Manila will be able to experience when the touring company of Barbie Live! comes to town this month. The production featuring pop music with empowering lyrics, energetic choreography, fantastic sets and costumes and a story that appeals to all ages will be staged at the Mall of Asia Arena from Dec. 11 to 15. 

The Barbie Live! show tells a story that everybody is familiar with, lack of confidence in oneself. It is about Barbie and her best friend Teresa while they are at work on a movie set. Teresa is having insecurity problems regarding her acting talent. So Barbie decides to help her get over these through the power of friendship and through lessons from her own experiences. These, Barbie hopes, will help Teresa to believe in herself and be confident of her abilities.

And what are these experiences? These are the lessons millions of children all over the world learned through Barbie in the films Swan Lake, Princess and the Popstar and Mariposa & the Fairy Princess. These films are among the most loved Barbie movies of all time and as the title Barbie Live! clearly says, those memorable images and the songs from these films are those that will come alive on the MOA stage.

Barbie Live is a great way for children to kick off their holiday merrymaking this year while also imbibing valuable life lessons about caring for others. They will see the marvelous ballet in Swan Lake through which Barbie taught her little sister Kelly to accept being away from family at camp. There is the spectacular encounter between two Barbies in Princess and the Popstar based on the classic novel Prince and the Pauper. And who can forget those beautiful butterflies in the enchanting Mariposa and the Fairy Princess?

All those will be brought to life by a talented team of 19 singers and dancers who look so much like what we have always imagined Barbie and her friends should look. The little girls will surely be in heaven at the sight of all those. The boys will surely be amazed. As for the grown-ups, I am sure they will have no choice but marvel at the spectacular show.

Created by Mattel together with EMS Entertainment, Barbie Live! is promoted in the Philippines by Vivre Fort Entertainment and Happy Junior Productions. Tickets to the show are now available in all SM Ticket outlets located in all SM Cinema ticket booths or at www.smtickets.com.

And while we are on the subject of Barbie, you might want to keep the kiddies learning and also entertained through the many Barbie videos currently available. Barbie In A Christmas Carol is, of course, just right for the season. There are also Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses, Barbie And The Twelve Musketeers, Barbie In A Mermaid’s Tale, Barbie In Rapunzel, Barbie And Her Sisters In A Pony Tale and, of course, the subject movies of Barbie Live, Swan Lake, The Princess And The Popstar and Mariposa & The Fairy Princess.

As for doing good, don’t you just find it so heartening that the major music labels in the US got together to come up with an album that will help raise funds for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines. Recording giants Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music are one in wanting to do their bit to help our country and so do are their artists. Proceeds from the sale of Songs For The Philippines will go to the Philippine National Red Cross.

Great also to see that the line-up of participating stars includes several of Filipino descent, namely Enrique Iglesias with Hero; Bruno Mars with Count On Me; apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas with Going Out and American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez with Lead Me Home.

There are also songs by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Michael Bublé, U2, Beyoncé, Eminem, Cher, Adele, Katy Perry, One Direction, fun.’ Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Alicia Keys, Imagine Dragons, Madonna, Pink, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kylie Minogue, Linkin Park, Kings of Leon, Muse, Lorde, Josh Groban, Kelly Clarkson, Paulo Nuttini, Ellie Goulding, James Blunt, Pitbull with Christina Aguilera, Earth Wind & Fire, Sara Bareilles, Lily Allen and The Fray.