Author: Ballet Philippines

Rappler reports that Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is taking on a new stage role—as narrator for Repertory Philippines’ upcoming production of Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, opening this August at The Theatre at Solaire, alongside BP’s Little Red Riding Hood with Live Music by MSO.

The production runs from August 1 to 3, 2025, with the Gala Night on August 1 featuring Ressa as guest narrator for Peter and the Wolf. This cherished symphonic story introduces characters through distinct musical themes, performed live by the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The blend of expressive narration, orchestral music, and stagecraft offers audiences a dynamic introduction to classical performance.

Sharing the bill is Ballet Philippines’ reimagined Little Red Riding Hood, choreographed by Artistic Director Mikhail Martynyuk. The ballet fuses classical technique with modern emotional depth, presenting the well-known fable through themes of courage, compassion, and discernment.

In addition to its artistic merits, the event highlights a strong advocacy for cultural accessibility. Ballet Philippines’ outreach program will provide complimentary seats for students, indigenous youth, and underserved communities—ensuring that the transformative experience of live performance reaches a broader audience.

By pairing two timeless tales in a fresh format, Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood bridges generations and art forms. With Ressa’s distinctive voice guiding one story and Ballet Philippines’ dancers bringing the other to life, the season opener promises an inspiring celebration of music, movement, and storytelling.

Performances are scheduled from August 1 to 3, 2025, at The Theatre at Solaire.

Read the full story by Steph Arnaldo for Rappler here.

From August 1 to 3 at The Theatre at Solaire, the historic production is set to inspire a new generation of audiences.

The event opens with the Manila Symphony Orchestra in full splendor, followed by Repertory Philippines’ whimsical take on Peter and the Wolf, where music meets storytelling. The show crescendos with Ballet Philippines’ rendition of Little Red Riding Hood, choreographed by Mikhail Martynyuk. Layered yet accessible, the production blends classical ballet with emotional depth that resonates with young viewers.

The concept emerged during the pandemic, when leaders from Ballet and Repertory Philippines envisioned performances that could both entertain and educate. The result is a hybrid of music, theater, and dance designed to spark a love for the arts early on.

This reimagined Little Red focuses on choice, courage, and empathy rather than fear. The wolf is no longer a flat villain but a character capable of change. The story is told through music selections from Saint-Saëns, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Grieg—familiar classical works reinterpreted for a younger audience.

Beyond the performance, free seats are being given to students, indigenous communities, and other underserved groups through Ballet Philippines’ outreach program. For many, it will be their first time in a theater.

Read the story by Lala Singian-Serzo for Inquirer here: https://plus.inquirer.net/lifestyle/a-gateway-to-classical-culture-for-kids-and-adults-who-love-to-feel-inspired-too/.

From August 1-3, 2025, Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra unite for a groundbreaking family-friendly double bill at The Theatre at Solaire.

In a feature by Broadway World, Gilbert Kim Sancha highlights a major cultural milestone as three of the Philippines’ premier performing arts institutions—Ballet Philippines (BP), Repertory Philippines (REP), and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO)—join forces for an extraordinary season opener.

Marking its 56th season, Ballet Philippines presents a world-class double bill featuring Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood from August 1 to 3, 2025, at The Theatre at Solaire. This first-time collaboration brings music, dance, and drama together on one stage for five performances aimed at delighting audiences of all ages.

Peter and the Wolf, composed by Sergei Prokofiev, uses different instruments to represent each character—offering a fun and educational introduction to symphonic music for younger audiences. Meanwhile, Little Red Riding Hood reimagines the beloved fairy tale with a lighthearted tone, brought to life through expressive choreography and set to the music of Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg.

Beyond its artistic ambition, the production also serves as a meaningful outreach initiative. Families from selected barangays will be invited to watch for free, helping expand access to the transformative power of the performing arts. Ticket sales from the general public will help support future outreach efforts.

With theatrical storytelling from REP, dynamic choreography from BP, and a live musical score by the MSO, the production is designed to entertain, educate, and inspire—a celebration of collaboration and creativity.

Read the full story by Gilbert Kim Sancha for Broadway World here: https://www.broadwayworld.com/philippines/article/Music-Drama-and-Dance-Come-Together-in-PETER-AND-THE-WOLF-and-LITTLE-RED-RIDING-HOOD-20250708.

Hosts Paolo Del Rosario, Anne Asis Carilo, and Monique Tuzon explore how BP, REP, and MSO unite 213 years of cultural legacy for a magical family production.

In a recent feature by A Beautiful Day by Bilyonaryo, hosts Paolo Del Rosario, Anne Asis Carilo, and Monique Tuzon sat down with Ballet Philippines’ President Kathleen Liechtenstein and Repertory Philippines’ Artistic Director Jeremy Domingo to delve into one of the most significant cultural collaborations in the country today.

The conversation focused on the upcoming production that brings together three of the Philippines’ most iconic cultural institutions—Ballet Philippines (BP), now in its 56th year; Repertory Philippines (Rep), with 58 years; and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), marking 99 years. This groundbreaking partnership merges 213 years of artistic excellence in a single, family-friendly production.

At the center of this creative alliance is a double bill of Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, where ballet, theater, and live symphonic music come together for a rare and immersive experience. The creative process, as shared in the interview, has been a complex balancing act of disciplines and visions—aiming to offer children and families an engaging encounter with the performing arts that is both entertaining and educational.

Monique Tuzon invited Jeremy Domingo to discuss Peter and the Wolf, a 20-minute symphonic piece composed by Sergei Prokofiev. Crafted as an introduction to classical music for young listeners, each character in the story is represented by a specific instrument: a flute for the bird, oboe for the duck, clarinet for the cat, bassoon for the grandfather, horns for the wolf, and strings for Peter. The narrative encourages curiosity, courage, and critical thinking through sound and story.

This production is not only a celebration of heritage and artistry but also a call to nurture the imagination of a new generation.

Watch the full video of Bilyonaryo’s It’s A Beautiful Day here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7cXSJkmh23k?si=MPMzuU8swagh_LZO.

Classic fairy tales like Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood continue to inspire creativity and bring families closer—reminding us that a lifelong love for the arts may just be the most enduring happily ever after.

In an article by Modern Parenting, writer Kevyn Gohu explores how timeless fairy tales can still spark wonder in modern families—especially when brought to life by the Philippines’ top performing arts companies.

Opening this August, Ballet Philippines marks its 56th season with a special collaboration alongside Repertory Philippines and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The three institutions join forces for a five-performance run of Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood—a double bill that brings music, movement, and imagination together in one magical, family-friendly production.

These stories, deeply rooted in generations of childhood memories, offer something unique in today’s fast-paced, screen-dominated world: immersive storytelling. Where technology often flattens experience into scrollable moments, the live stage invites families to slow down, feel, and connect.

Set to the iconic music of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf introduces children to classical instruments by assigning them to characters—flute for the bird, oboe for the duck, clarinet for the cat, and strings for Peter. Little Red Riding Hood, featuring compositions by Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg, offers a fresh, reimagined take on the classic tale—focusing on emotion, empathy, and courage through expressive choreography.

Read Modern Parenting’s full story by Kevyn Gohu here: https://modernparenting-onemega.com/fairy-tales-modern-families-ballet/.