Expect Magic During Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker

Tickets to Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker quickly sold out shortly after this holiday performance was first announced in late November. It was a clear indication that audiences were eager to once again spend the holidays at the ballet to experience the magic of dance. It
also inspired the Ballet Philippines team to bring beloved holiday favorites back to the theater.

With only a few days before opening night, many are eager to find out what they can expect from Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker. Here’s everything you need to know to get in the mood for Christmas magic.

⦿ A full length ballet. Typically, dance companies mount The Nutcracker as part of a double bill. In fact, when it first premiered in 1892 at the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre, The Nutcracker was performed with Tchaikovsky’s one-act opera Iolanta. For the 53rd season holiday performance of The Nutcracker, Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director Mikhail Martynyuk sought out to create “a fresh topical classic version of the play, not only on the motives of E.T.A Hoffman’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King,” but also taking the basis of Marium Petipa’s libretto.”

⦿ Live music from the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Nothing compares to watching ballet with live music. For Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker, this was crucial in creating a truly unique and immersive experience for the audiences. Martynyuk explains, “The uniqueness of this performance is that it’s musical. Each scene is built precisely to the musical rhythm of Tchaikovsky.”

⦿ A heart-warming experience of Share The Magic. When audiences buy tickets to Ballet Philippines shows, they become part of the company’s CSR initiative called Share The Magic. This program has made it possible for underprivileged children to go to the ballet and experience the magic of dance. This season, we are proud to welcome beneficiaries of Share the Magic that include: DepEd SPED, Girls Scouts of the Philippines, Open School of Music, Pag-Asa Foundation and Concordia Children’s Foundation, Young Focus, Kythe Foundation, the LGU of Navotas (through Teach for the Philippines), Bantu Philippines, the LGU of Pasay City, Scuoloa della Gioia in Tondo, Good Shepherd Sisters of the Philippines, DSWD Adoption Resource and Referral Section, Liter of Light Global Foundation, and Phinma Foundation.

Share the Magic also honors the men and women in uniform from the Philippine Armed Forces, Philippine Navy and Air Force. They join us during opening night along with their families and loved ones as a simple way for Ballet Philippines to let them know they are appreciated and valued for their selfless service to the country.

⦿ Delectable Argentine-inspired cocktails during opening night. To celebrate the magic of Christmas, Ballet Philippines will treat audiences during the opening night of The Nutcracker with delectable Argentine-inspired canapes from La Cabrera and fine wines from Boca Juan.

Ballet Philippines’ President, Kathleen Liechtenstein, shares, “La Cabrera and Boca Juan have been with us for several years now. They have long been key players in the art of food and fine wines. They are in the business of elevating the culinary experience the same way that Ballet Philippines is dedicated to enhancing the experience of watching the ballet in the country.”

⦿ Men on stilts, clowns and Santa Claus to welcome you to the lobby. Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker is an entire experience from the time you enter the lobby up until the last scene in the theatre. This holiday season, the company will engage guests in a festive gala lobby experience where you can enjoy pre show cocktails with men on stilts, clowns and good ol’ Santa!

For those coming to watch The Nutcracker this weekend, please don’t forget that wearing of face masks at all times inside the CCP is mandated as a safety protocol by the CCP Admin.