MANILA, Philippines - Rama, Hari, the hit pop ballet musical based on the Indian epic Ramayana, is returning to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in November, with a powerhouse cast of the country’s best singers and dancers.
This year’s staging of Rama, Hari will star two of ABS-CBN’s most talented stars, Christian Bautista and Karylle, in the lead roles of Rama and Sita, backed by an equally powerhouse cast of the country’s leading theater actors and singers: Robert Seña as the demon Ravana, OJ Mariano (alternating as Rama), Kalila Aguilos (alternating as Sita), Cristian Rey Marbella, Noel Rayos, Lani Ligot, Amparo Sietereales and Brezhnev Larlar.
Ballet Philippines principal dancers Jean Marc Cordero and Richardson Yadao will essay the role of Rama and Carissa Adea and Katherine Trofeo as Sita.
Rama, Hari is Ballet Philippines’ third production this year, following the staging of Songs and Neo-Filipino: Anting.
Ballet Philippines artistic director Paul Alexander Morales says that what makes Rama, Hari special, then and now, is the great collaboration work done by the best Filipino artists on the production, including two National Artists.
Choreographed by Ballet Philippines founder Alice Reyes, the ballet musical was set to music of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, while National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera wrote the libretto and National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal did the set and costume design.
The lyrics of Rama, Hari are in Filipino, but there will be English subtitles during the performance, translated by National Artist Rolando Tinio.
Ballet Philippines first staged Rama, Hari in 1980 at the CCP stage with Basil Valdez and Kuh Ledesma lending their voices to Rama and Sita, respectively. Leo Valdez portrayed the role of Ravana.
ABS-CBN is the official media partner of Rama, Hari.
Rama, Hari will have 10 performances from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 at the CCP Main Theater, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra playing live. For details, call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. Also visit www.ballet.ph or www.facebook.com/balletphilippines.