‘The Merry Widow’ Opens Philippine Ballet Theatre’s 2025 Season

‘The Merry Widow’ Opens Philippine Ballet Theatre’s 2025 Season

The Merry Widow opens Philippine Ballet Theatre’s (PBT) 2025 season this April at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati.

The ballet was among the first ever performed by the company, with former Artistic Director Julie Borromeo’s version premiering in 1987. Almost four decades later, it returns for its fifth restaging, aiming to reaffirm the company’s ability to compete globally with both Filipino works and classical repertoire. Through this production, PBT wishes to honor its founding members for shaping the company’s legacy, as it moves forward with its official designation as the National Performing Arts Company (NPAC) for dance from 2024 to 2029 by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

The Merry Widow originally premiered as an operetta by Franz Lehár in Vienna in 1905 and has since inspired numerous choreographic adaptations by ballet companies worldwide. Set in Paris, it explores themes of forbidden and rekindled love, wealth, and deceit. PBT’s version is choreographed by Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario, accompanied by Lehár’s music.

The cast will be debuting in their respective roles—Jimmy Lumba as Count Danilo Danilovistch, and Jessa Tangalin as the elusive Hanna Glawari. The role of Count Camille de Rosillon will be shared by Julafer Fegarido and Justine Joseph Orande, while Sophia Martina Tiangco and Gabbie Jaynario will alternate as Valencienne. Company veterans Anatoly Panasyukov and Joel Matias will portray Baron Mirko Zeta and Njegus, respectively.

The production will have a limited run on April 5, 2025, with a matinee at 3:00 PM, a gala performance at 7:30 PM, and a final performance on April 6 at 3:00 PM.

For ticket inquiries, call 09688708887, 09129455151, and +63286711968 or email secretariat@pbt.org.ph