Love and deception: PBT opens season with ‘The Merry Widow’
Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) opens its season with a revival of “The Merry Widow,” a ballet based on Franz Lehár’s 1905 operetta. The production, choreographed by artistic director Ronilo Jaynario, features themes of love, wealth, and deception set in Paris.
“The Merry Widow” holds historical significance for PBT, having been one of the company’s earliest productions, originally staged by former artistic director Julie Borromeo in 1987. This restaging, the fifth by PBT, aims to honor the company’s founding members and their vision.
Set in 1900 Paris, “The Merry Widow” centers on the Pontevedrian embassy, where Baron Mirko Zeta seeks to save his financially struggling nation by marrying the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari to Danilo Danilovitch, an aristocrat and embassy secretary.
This plan is complicated by Danilo and Hanna’s unresolved past romance and his denial of his feelings. Adding to the intrigue, Zeta’s wife, Valencienne, engages in a secret flirtation with Camille de Rosillon, a Frenchman, resulting in a lost fan containing a love confession. The first act concludes with Danilo agreeing to deter Hanna’s suitors, but not to marry her, culminating in their initial dance and foreshadowing further romantic entanglements.
The second act unfolds at Hanna’s villa, where Zeta persists in identifying Camille’s secret lover, whom he suspects to be the fan’s owner. Danilo, tasked with finding the owner, wrestles with his feelings for Hanna, refusing to declare his love.
A series of misunderstandings and clandestine meetings between Valencienne and Camille leads Hanna to falsely announce her engagement to Camille, aiming to protect Valencienne’s reputation. This act prompts a jealous Danilo to storm off to Maxim’s.
Romantic complications
The final act at Maxim’s resolves the romantic complications. Valencienne, disguised as a working-class Parisian woman, is discovered, and Hanna clarifies that her engagement was a pretense. Danilo finally confesses his love and proposes to Hanna.
When Zeta discovers the fan belongs to Valencienne, he declares his intent to divorce her and marry Hanna. However, Hanna reveals that her fortune will transfer to her new husband, leading Danilo to eagerly propose. The story concludes with Danilo and Hanna and the Baron and Valencienne happily united, leaving the men to contemplate the enigmatic nature of women.
The production will feature debuts in key roles. Jimmy Lumba will play Count Danilo Danilovistch, and Jessa Tangalin will portray Hanna Glawari. The role of Count Camille de Rosillon will be shared by Julafer Fegarido and Justine Joseph Orande, with Sophia Martina Tiangco and Gabbie Jaynario alternating as Valencienne. Anatoly Panasyukov and Joel Matias will play Baron Mirko Zeta and Njegus, respectively.
PBT has a busy schedule ahead. In July, it will premiere Jaynario’s “Maria Makiling” at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, with support from Philippine Airlines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the National Performing Arts Companies.
Following this, PBT will embark on its annual American tour in October, featuring performances in New York, chaired by Loida Nicolas Lewis, and shows in Portland, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.
To close the year, PBT’s annual Christmas production of “The Nutcracker” will be presented in Cebu, organized by Annie Aboitiz and Marissa Fernan.
“The Merry Widow”
performances are scheduled for April 5, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and April 6, 3 p.m. Call tel. 0968-8708887, 0912-9455151, +632-86711968, or email secretariat@pbt.org.ph.
