American danseur Joseph Gatti leaps into Ballet Philippines' Don Quixote

Ballet Philippines’ brings its 48^th Season: Quintessence to a close with Don Quixote, one of the most popular and flamboyant ballets of all time, this February 9-18, 2018 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Restaged by Adam Sage, BP’s Associate Artistic Director and Ballet Master, Don Quixote the ballet is based on episodes from the quintessential novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes with the focus mainly on the two lovers Basilio and Kitri with the title character relegated to an acting and a non-dancing role.

Joseph Gatti

Multi-awarded American danseur Joseph Gatti will be the guest artist in this production, dancing the role of Basilio for only two performances. These special gala nights happening on February 9, 8:00 PM and February 10, 7:00 PM will also feature the music of Ludwig Minkus performed live by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jeffrey Solares.

Joseph Gatti is a former principal dancer with Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet. He is a prize winner at the New York International Ballet Competition and World Ballet Competition. Gatti’s Basilio will be partnered by resident guest artist Candice Adea, marking her return to the role of Kitri which she danced in Ballet Philippines’ last staging of Don Quixote back in 2011.

Ian Ocampo as Basilio and Monica Gana as Kitri

In other performances, the principal roles of Basilio and Kitri will be performed by Ian Ocampo, in his first production with Ballet Philippines, partnered with Monica Gana, making her debut in a classical ballet lead role, and by Victor Maguad and Jemima Reyes, adding Don Q to their previous pairing in Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

Ronelson Yadao as Espada and Denise Parungao as Mercedes

Performing featured roles in this production are guest dancers Jojo Mamangun as the errant knight Don Quixote and Ronelson Yadao as the dashing toreador Espada. BP’s Denise Parungao and Katrene San Miguel alternate the role of the sultry Mercedes.

An added treat during the evening performances await the audience who want to get in the Spanish fiesta mood before the show. For an additional P500 to their tickets, guests can enjoy Spanish wine, tapas, and cocktails before the performance at the Ballet, Pintxos y Vino bar opening an hour and a half before the evening performances on Feb. 9-10 & 17-18. This offer is only available through advance reservation and slots are limited so better make that call to Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 at the earliest possible moment.

The cast of Ballet Philippines' Don Quixote

Since Don Quixote is a popular ballet, this has been staged numerous times by all the ballet companies in here. And every time I've seen a production of it (or even just the Grand Pas de Deux) I've always tried to jump start on the novel but I aways ended up not finishing it. I hope that upon seeing Ballet Philippines' upcoming production and getting mesmerized by Kitri’s leaps and fouettés and Basilio’s jumps and turns, getting to read the entire novel will be an impossible dream no more.