Ballet Manila principal artist Osias Barroso teams up with Macuja as the star-crossed lovers in William Shakespeare’s classic tale of passion and romance, as retold in a three-act, full-length ballet. Soloists Christopher Mohnani and Elline Damian will perform in matinee performances.
For some years, as a student at the Vaganova Choreographic Institute and later as a soloist with the Kirov Theater, Macuja had stayed with an artistically-gifted clan whom she has come to regard as her second family.
Tatiana Udalenkova, Macuja’s mentor in Russia, will be coaching her anew for Romeo and Juliet. Udalenkova’s husband, Sergey Vikulov, a former principal danseur of the Kirov Theater, and later named People’s Artist of Russia, is the choreographer of the upcoming Ballet Manila production. The couple’s son, conductor Alexander Vikulov, whom Macuja refers to as her "white brother," will lead the PPO for the show’s evening performances.
"This project has been a year in the making and a wonderful dream come true," enthuses Macuja. The production is made even more significant by the fact that the ballerina will be receiving on premiere night the "Order of International Friendship" from Russian President Vladimir Putin, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Russian-Philippine relations. Russian Ambassador Anatoli Khmelnitski will present the award.
Macuja says Juliet is her favorite lyrical role. She has played Juliet in three different productions before – on a two-month tour of New Zealand as principal guest artist of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, in Atlanta Ballet’s Thomas Pazik choreography, and in the 20-minute Tchaikovsky overture by Sergey Vikulov during Ballet Manila’s first anniversary concert.
Macuja notes that the CCP Main Theater is an ideal venue for the "soaring leaps of our men and the quicksilver pirouettes and high extensions of our women."
She is also looking forward to the PPO accompaniment, saying, "The music of Prokofiev is simply so much more dramatic when heard alive. After experiencing dancing Juliet to a live orchestra under famous Royal Ballet conductor Sir Ashley Lawrence in New Zealand, I had to get that rush again and add a first to Philippine cultural history.
Romeo and Juliet is part of Ballet Manila’s sixth season and is its third production since arriving from a successful Russian tour in January.
For inquiries, call Ballet Manila at 512-50-31 to 32 or 525-59-67, e-mail info@balletmanila.com or visit www.balletmanila. com.