Philippine Ballet Theatre stages Rome and Juliet

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) opens its 25th anniversary as the resident ballet company of Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) with Shakespeare’s classic Romeo and Juliet on July 7, 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and on July 10 (matinee show) at 3 p.m. at the Main Theater of CCP.

PBT welcomes back Maniya Barredo, who was trained by PBT founders and now a well-known prima ballerina, as she captivates the audience not with her wonderful turns and pirouettes, but instead with her directing skills. Romeo and Juliet was the signature work made for her by Tom Pazik who is one of the leading choreographers of the American Ballet Theatre. Romeo and Juliet characters will be played by Maniya’s lead dancers, Naomi Hergott, 17, and David Kiyak, 21. David who used to be with the Orlando Ballet is now with Maniya’s ballet company, the Metropolitan Ballet. 

PBT is known as one of the country’s performing groups that have carved a niche in the national and international dance world. PBT’s neo-classical works have been led by some of the country’s best choreographers who topbilled PBT’s productions like Julie Borromeo, Felicitas Radaic, Inday Gaston Mañosa, Eddie Elejar, Ron Jaynario and Gener Caringal. They have performed numerous outstanding classical ballets such as Swan Lake, Giselle, Nutcracker and Raymonda.

For details, call CCP Ticketworld at 891-5610 or PBT Office at 632-8848.