Our first look at how Karylle and Christian Bautista will sing the songs and incarnate the roles made famous in the original run by Kuh Ledesma and Basil Valdez. The presscon at the ABS-CBN Building last Wednesday also presented Kalila Aguilos and OJ Mariano as the alternate Sita and Rama, and Robert Sena as Ravana alternating with (for my money, the true revelation of the afternoon) Cebu-based artist Christian Rey Marbella, who sang a commanding Awit ng Pagsinta.
However, since uploading all the video clips to Youtube takes some time, eto muna--Karylle doing her own take on Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal; and Christian singing Tagistis ng Ulan. (Sorry for the rather dim picture--bad stage set-up in terms of lighting.)
Dancing Rama, by the way, are Ballet Philippines dancers Jean Marc Cordero and Richardson Yadao; and Sita, Carissa Adea and Katherine Trofeo. Other guest artists are Noel Rayos, Melani Ligot, Amparo Sietereales and Breshnev Larlar.
Some more notes I've written about Rama, Hari here and here.
More from the Ballet Philippines announcement:
“Rama, Hari,” the hit pop ballet musical based on the Indian epic Ramayana, is returning to the CCP stage this November, with a powerhouse cast of the country's best singers and dancers.This year's staging of “Rama, Hari” will star Christian Bautista and Karylle in the lead roles 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), Christian 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 Cultural Center of the Philippines with Basil Valdez and Kuh Ledesma as the voices behind Rama and Sita, respectively. Leo Valdez portrayed the role of the evil demon Ravana.
“Rama, Hari” will have 10 performances from November 30 to December 9 at the CCP Main Theater, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra playing live.
For tickets and inquiries, call Ballet Philippines 5511003 or Ticketworld at 8919999. Visit www.ballet.ph or www.facebook.com/balletphilippines.
