The “golden boy” of ballet, American Joseph Phillips, comes all the way from Russia to perform the role of the Nutcracker Prince in the Philippine Ballet Theater’s presentation of “The Nutcracker.” Partnering with the premier danseur are the homegrown ballerinas of PBT, Veronica Ylagan, Lobreza Pimentel and Regine Magbitang who will take on the roles of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Phillips has won more gold medals than any American male dancer and is currently one of only two Americans in Russia as principal dancers. The State Primorsky Opera and Ballet Theatre where Joseph performs multiple roles has recently become a part of the Mariinsky Ballet Company.
Acknowledged as one of the most popular ballets in the world, The Nutcracker Ballet story originated from “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (German: Nussknacker und Mausekönig), a story written in 1816, by the German writer E. T. A. Hoffmann.
In the story, young Marie Stahlbaum’s favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom of sweets populated by dolls.
In 1892, the Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and choreographers Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov turned Alexander Dumas’ adaptation of the story into the ballet The Nutcracker, which became one of Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions.
Close to 100 dancers participate in this wonderful German tale. The charming Mother Ginger scene with numerous petite ballerinas from leading area ballet schools will be included in the production this year. Artistic director Ronilo Jaynario restages the production.
Philippine Ballet Theatre, Inc. is a Resident Company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. To purchase tickets, contact CCP Box Office (02) 832-3704, Ticket World (02) 891-999 or PBT (02) 632-8848; 255 8076. For more information, contact Sylvia Lichauco de Leon 0920/801-6845; 0917/855-5652 or email [email protected].