Mad moments with Don Quixote
Ballet Philippines stages its end of season performance with Cervantes’ modern novel
Ballet Philippines stages its end of season performance with Cervantes’ modern novel
If you think that imagination can’t take you anywhere in life, then you haven’t heard of Don Quixote. In real life, he’s just an ordinary man named Alonso Quejano from La Mancha who loves reading books about knights and chivalry. But in his mind, he is a knight named Don Quixote with a squire named Sancho and a muse named Dulcinea. As a knight, he needs to go out and make the world a better place so he goes on a journey with his squire but instead of doing his mission, they meet a lot of misfortunes, a windmill as a monster for example, until he is left but no other choice but to go back to his real life as Alonso Quejano. Written by renowned Spanish novelist and poet Miguel de Cervantes in the 16th century, Don Quixote is a playful tale that was recognized as the first modern novel. It’s not only about jokes, misfortunes, and humor but about Don Quixote’s persistence and commitment in what he wanted to do in life, which we all need to be reminded of sometimes. He didn’t stop until life was the only thing stopping him from doing what he wanted. Centuries later—400 years after Cervantes died—he still continues to live with us through his written works. This month, he will take us on his journey again at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater as Ballet Philippines (BP) stages Don Quixote as its end of season performance. “Don Quixote is simple to follow. There’s comedy, there’s love. The ballet has three acts. It starts out with Don Quixote who meets the love of his life Kitri, whom he thinks is his lady love Dulcinea. Kitri, in turn, enamored of Basilio, a poor local barber whom her father doesn’t approve. Mayhem ensues as the gentleman from La Mancha unwittingly helps the two lovers have a happy ending. He’ll take us to a scene with the windmills and there are gypsies around and Don Quixote at one point thinks that windmills are big monsters. It all works out for everybody in the end in this version. No death involved,” says Adam Sage, the regisseur of the performance. Adam returns to BP as its associate artistic director and ballet master. He has performed, taught, coached, and choreographed in four continents for nearly three decades. After his stint with BP in 1983, he danced with Ballet West, Ballet Memphis, Hong Kong Ballet, and National Dance Company of Boputhatswana in South Africa. He also founded and served as artistic director of Missouri Ballet Theater.
International guest artist Joseph Gatti will play the role of Don Quixote. Joseph is a former principal dancer with Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet. A winner of various prestigious international ballet competitions, including the New York International Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition, he has been invited to perform as a guest principal artist in companies and in international ballet galas in the US, South America, Japan, Europe, and Russia. He will partner with BP’s resident guest artist Candice Adea while the Manila Symphony Orchestra will play live, conducted by Jeffrey Solares.
“Joseph is a phenomenal dancer. He dances all over the world all year long. As an individual, he is very enthusiastic and loved by everyone. He loves to do all sorts of crazy things and he’s a huge Michael Jackson fan,” says Adam. Don Quixote, according to Adam, is the perfect show for those watching ballet for the first time. A light and fun story, it is ballet’s rom-com that still has the dance’s signature leaps, dizzying turns, and death-defying lifts.
“Don Quixote is very special to Ballet Philippines. It has had a long history with us. We started staging the Grand Pas De Deux in 1973. We mounted our first full length of it in 1981. Lots of international stars have performed it with Ballet Philippines. This year, 2018, is a special show. We have today’s brightest stars of the Philippine dance. Don Quixote is truly a big happy fiesta celebrating life, love, and dance,” says Margie Moran, president of Ballet Philippines.
Aside from Joseph and Candice, the principal roles of Kitri and Basilio will be portrayed by BP company members Jemima Reyes, Monica Gana, Victor Maguad, and Ian Ocampo.
Catch this special run of Don Quixote until Feb. 18 at the CCP Main Theater. 02 551 1003, the 02 832 3704, or Ticketworld at 02 8919999 orTicketworld.com.ph.
Don Quixote is the perfect show for those watching ballet for the first time. A light and fun story, it is ballet’s rom-com that still has the dance’s signature leaps, dizzying turns, and death-defying lifts.