WATCH: Lisa Macuja-Elizalde gives peek of new production featuring global ballet stars
MANILA, Philippines — Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, the Philippines’ first prima ballerina and Artistic Director of ballet company Ballet Manila (BM), directs BM’s latest offering, “American Stars Gala,” featuring international ballet superstars.
The one-night-only gala on July 7, 7:30 p.m., at Aliw Theater is co-directed by Boston Ballet's George Birkadze.
In an interview with Philstar.com, Lisa shared that the show will feature both classical and modern ballet to be rendered by some of the hottest names in the industry today: Boston Ballet’s half-Filipina principal dancer Lia Cirio; as well as Junxiong Zhao, and Hannah Bettes, while the Houston Ballet will be represented by Yuriko Kajiya and Jared Matthews. They will perform with Ballet Manila company artists and exclusive guest artists, including Joseph Philips and Katherine Barkman.
Unfortunately, due to a recent hip replacement surgery, Lisa cannot do a cameo performance in the show, but hopes to do so in future galas. The prima ballerina has been retired for almost three years now after about 30 years of dancing and representing the Philippines in the international stage. — Video by Kat Leandicho
