The Philippine Star reports that three major cultural forces—Repertory Philippines, Ballet Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO)—came together for the first time in a single performance, staged August 1–3 at The Theatre at Solaire.
The twin-bill program opened with Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, a symphonic tale introducing each character through a unique orchestral instrument. On opening night, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa narrated the piece, accompanied by the MSO under conductor Marlon Chen. According to the story, other celebrity narrators included Karylle Tatlonghari, Tim Yap, Akiko Thomson-Guevara, Liza Chan-Parpan, and Maanne Hontiveros, all performing pro bono.
Since the work runs under 30 minutes, Ballet Philippines paired it with a classical adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood, set to music by Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg. This reimagined take on Charles Perrault’s fable wove themes of bravery, kindness, and wisdom into expressive choreography.
The collaboration also highlighted a shared commitment to accessibility, with over a thousand complimentary tickets distributed to students, indigenous youth, uniformed personnel, and members of underserved communities.
The event marked a milestone in Philippine performing arts, uniting theater, ballet, and orchestral music in one stage for the first time—a celebration of artistic synergy and cultural outreach.
Read the full story by Leah C. Salterio for The Philippine Starhere.
In a landmark cultural event, Journal News Online reports on the first-ever collaboration of three of the country’s leading performing arts institutions, uniting music, theater, and dance in reimagined classics “Peter and the Wolf” and “Little Red Riding Hood.”
Journal News Online recently featured a historic collaboration among three Philippine cultural powerhouses — Repertory Philippines, Ballet Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) — sharing the same stage for the first time last Friday night at The Theater at Solaire.
The evening brought to life reimagined classics Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood through a seamless blend of music, theater, and dance. The project also had a strong outreach component, with more than a thousand complimentary tickets given to members of the military, police, out-of-school youth, orphans, indigenous peoples, NGOs, and other beneficiaries.
Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev was narrated live by celebrity guests performing pro bono. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa opened the run, with other narrators including Karylle Tatlonghari, Tim Yap, Aiko Thomson-Guevara, Liza Chan-Parpan, and Maanne Hontiveros. The orchestration vividly matched each character — from flute for the bird to French horn for the wolf — under the baton of music director Marlon Chen.
Since Peter and the Wolf runs under 30 minutes, Ballet Philippines complemented it with a classical ballet adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood, drawing from music by Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg.
This creative fusion was helmed by Repertory Philippines artistic director Jeremy Domingo, with MSO — the country’s oldest orchestra at 99 years — providing the rich musical foundation. The night was dedicated to Sr. Mary Placid, Dean of St. Scholastica’s College of Music, in celebration of artistic synergy and the enduring harmony of Philippine performing arts.
Three cultural powerhouses—REP, BP, and MSO—join forces for Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood in a milestone production.
For the first time in Philippine performing arts history, three premier cultural institutions unite to bring music, drama, and ballet together in one world-class, family-friendly production.
Repertory Philippines (REP), the country’s foremost theater company, joins Ballet Philippines (BP), the nation’s premier classical and contemporary ballet company, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO), one of Asia’s longest-running orchestras, for a double-bill of beloved classics—Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood.
As noted in Dang Musings, Peter and the Wolf, written by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, assigns each character a distinct orchestral voice. Meanwhile, Little Red Riding Hood, set to the music of Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg, offers a playful reimagining of Charles Perrault’s fairy tale, exploring themes of kindness and courage.
Running August 1–3, 2025 at the Theatre at Solaire, the production combines live orchestral music, theatrical storytelling, and exquisite ballet. More than a cultural milestone, it doubles as an outreach initiative—over 1,000 free seats will be offered to families from selected barangays, opening the performing arts to the underserved.
Ballet Philippines Opens Its 56th Season with a Spectacular Gala: Three Masters, One Stage Unites BP, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Jemima Reyes-Ocampo as Little Red Riding Hood with the Wolf, played by Rudolph Capongcol
For the first time in Philippine performing arts history, three of the country’s premier cultural institutions—Ballet Philippines (BP), Repertory Philippines (REP), and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO)—joined forces for a world-class, family-friendly double bill.
Rep President & CEO Mindy Perez Rubio, BP President Kathleen Liechtenstein, BP Chairman Antonio O. Cojuangco, and MSO President Maan Hontiveros
Held on August 1 at The Theatre at Solaire, the Gala Performance marked the official opening of BP’s 56th Season and featured a landmark staging of Peter and the Wolf, headlined by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa as guest narrator.
Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Maria Ressa narrates Rep’s musical theater production Peter and the Wolf
In her remarks, Repertory Philippines President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio shared that the idea for this production was inspired by her time at the San Francisco Symphony League, where she dreamed of combining orchestral music and live theater for young audiences. The collaboration with BP and MSO was born from that vision—and both institutions, she noted, said yes without hesitation.
MSO’s Maan Hontiveros, Rep’s Mindy Perez Rubio, and BP’s Kathleen Liechtenstein
Peter and the Wolf—composed by Sergei Prokofiev as an introduction to symphonic instruments—came to life through the Manila Symphony Orchestra’s evocative playing, conducted by Maestro Marlon Chen, and REP’s theatrical staging.
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf comes to live with Manila Symphony’s live music, conducted by Maestro Marlon Chen
The Gala performance was dedicated to Sister Mary Placid of St. Scholastica’s School of Music, where many MSO musicians, including Executive Director Jeffrey Solares and Hontiveros herself, received their training.
Following the opening piece, Ballet Philippines presented Little Red Riding Hood, a full-length classical ballet choreographed by Russian artist Mikhail Martynyuk. Using the music of Saint-Saëns and Grieg, the performance offered a poignant, playful reimagining of the fairytale, filled with themes of courage, kindness, and emotional discovery.
In her welcome remarks, BP President Kathleen “Maymay” Liechtenstein introduced the season’s theme: Our Stage, The World. She highlighted the company’s growing global footprint—from Expo 2025 Osaka to an upcoming European tour—while emphasizing that “home is where our heart beats.” She also celebrated the historic collaboration between BP, REP, and MSO, whose combined artistic legacies span 213 years.
Maan Hontiveros, representing the MSO, called the evening a “celebration of creative synergy,” marking the first time the three institutions performed together on one stage. She reflected on MSO’s long history of supporting ballet and musical theater, reinforcing how orchestral music enhances both movement and narrative. She also noted that MSO invited music and non-music students and their families as part of their outreach—many of whom were experiencing live symphonic music for the first time.
Indeed, the evening wasn’t just a cultural milestone—it was also a celebration of inclusion and access. As part of Ballet Philippines’ long-running advocacy, more than 1,000 free seats were offered to families from underserved barangays, military personnel, Indigenous communities, and other partner groups.
Running until August 3, Three Masters, One Stage continues to blend orchestral music, compelling theater, and exquisite ballet—an artistic collaboration that seeks to inspire, educate, and expand audiences across generations.
You can still catch the shows on August 2 and 3 at 2PM and 7PM.
Tickets are available via TicketWorld and the Solaire Box Office and through REP, MSO and BP channels.
The Little Red Riding Hood is a full-length ballet directed, choreographed, and set designed by Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director, Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk. Peter and the Wolf is a Repertory Philippines musical theater production directed by Jeremy Domingo and choreographed by PJ Rebullida.
The twin bill featured live music performed by Manila Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Marlon Chen, with Jeffrey Solares as Executive Director.
Stay tuned to Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra for upcoming shows and outreach initiatives throughout the 56th season.
Menchu Macapagal of NewsWatch Now Sits Down with Repertory Philippines’ Mindy Perez Rubio, Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Maan Hontiveros, and Ballet Philippines’ Kathleen Liechtenstein for Historic Cultural Collaboration as BP Launches 56th Season with Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood Twin Bill.
Mindy Perez-Rubio of Repertory Philippines, Maan Hontiveros of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Kathleen Liechtenstein of Ballet Philippines with NewsWatch Now host Menchu Macapagal
NewsWatch Now recently sat down with three leading figures in Philippine arts and culture — Mindy Perez-Rubio of Repertory Philippines, Maan Hontiveros of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Kathleen Liechtenstein of Ballet Philippines — to uncover how their organizations joined forces for one extraordinary production: Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, the opening of Ballet Philippines’ 56th Season.
For the first time, three of the country’s premier cultural institutions are sharing one stage in a rare collaboration that blends theater, symphonic music, and ballet into a family-friendly double bill. Peter and the Wolf, presented by Repertory Philippines, introduces children to classical music through Prokofiev’s iconic score, where each character is represented by a different orchestral instrument. The Manila Symphony Orchestra brings the music to life under the leadership of Maan Hontiveros, offering audiences an immersive live performance.
Following this is Ballet Philippines’ Little Red Riding Hood, choreographed by Artistic Director Misha Martynyuk, which reimagines the classic fairy tale through the expressive language of dance, set to music by Saint-Saëns and Grieg.
In the NewsWatch Now interview, Perez-Rubio, Hontiveros, and Liechtenstein shared their excitement over the collaboration, noting how the fusion of their respective art forms creates an engaging cultural experience for all ages — especially young audiences. They also spoke about the shared vision of making the performing arts more accessible, inspiring, and relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
Running from August 1 to 3, 2025 at The Theatre at Solaire, this production promises to be a feast for the senses and a celebration of Philippine artistry at its finest.
This three-day production unites Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra in a first-of-its-kind performance for young audiences and families.
Two beloved tales presented by Ballet Philippines and Repertory Philippines. Photograph courtesy of MSO.
As featured in the Daily Tribune, the production combines music, dance, and drama in a genre-blending performance designed especially for children and first-time theatergoers. The show features two reimagined classics: Peter and the Wolf, staged by REP, and Little Red Riding Hood, performed by BP.
Peter and the Wolf is a 30-minute musical tale composed by Sergei Prokofiev. Designed to introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra, each character is paired with a distinct instrument—Peter with the strings, the bird with a flute, the duck with an oboe, the wolf with horns, and more. Theater actors and BP dancers bring the characters to life in a lively, wordless production, accompanied live by the MSO.
Celebrity narrators rotate across the five performances. Maria Ressa narrated the August 1 gala. Upcoming shows will feature Karylle Tatlonghari, Tim Yap, Akiko Thomson-Guevara, and Liza Chan-Parpan.
The second half of the program presents Little Red Riding Hood, a 40-minute classical ballet choreographed by BP Artistic Director Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk. Using the music of Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg, this imaginative retelling explores themes of courage and kindness through movement.
Read the full story by Stephanie Mayo for Daily Tribunehere.
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.
Rehearsals photo by Paolo Pineda
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.
Ballet Philippines teams up with Repertory Philippines and the Manila Symphony Orchestra for a five-show season opener that blends dance, music, and theater—while extending free access to underserved communities.
Ballet Philippines with Repertory Philippines and Manila Symphony Orchestra will present two beloved classic tales
In an article by People Asia, the spotlight shines on Ballet Philippines’ much-anticipated 56th season, which opens with a landmark collaboration between three of the country’s premier cultural institutions: Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Running from August 1 to 3, 2025, at The Theatre at Solaire, this first-of-its-kind production brings together world-class dancers, actors, and musicians for a five-show engagement designed for audiences of all ages. The season opener features two beloved classics—Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood—reimagined in a family-friendly format that blends ballet, orchestral music, and theatrical storytelling.
Peter and the Wolf, composed by Sergei Prokofiev, is a symphonic tale that cleverly introduces young audiences to classical music by assigning instruments to each character in the story: the bird is represented by a flute, the duck by an oboe, the cat by a clarinet, and Peter by the strings, among others.
The second half of the program presents Little Red Riding Hood, a whimsical retelling of the well-known fairy tale. Set to the compositions of Camille Saint-Saëns and Edvard Grieg, this production offers a fresh, playful take on the story, with choreography and direction tailored for today’s audiences.
Beyond the stage, the production also carries a meaningful community outreach component. Selected families from various barangays will be given free access to the performances, while proceeds from ticket sales will go toward supporting and sustaining future outreach efforts.
This powerful collaboration among three leading institutions aims to both entertain and uplift—making the arts more inclusive, and inspiring the next generation through storytelling, movement, and live music.
