It was a historic night for three of the country’s premier cultural institutions. For the first time in Philippine performing arts history, music, drama, and ballet took the spotlight together on one stage in a world-class production.
Ready for the show!
Three Masters, One Stage
To open its 56th Season, Ballet Philippines (BP), collaborated with Repertory Philippines (REP), and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to present a double-bill of beloved classic tales—the symphonic tale for children Peter and the Wolf and the full-length ballet Little Red Riding Hood.
The cast of Peter and the Wolf
Written by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev, each character of Peter and the Wolf is represented by a corresponding instrument in the orchestra: the bird by a flute, the duck by an oboe, the cat by a clarinet, the grandfather by a bassoon, the wolf by horns, and Peter by the strings. Featuring the compositions of French conductor Camille Saint-Saens and Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, the ballet Little Red Riding Hood is a playful reimagination of the classic fairy tale by Charles Perrault that follows the adventures of a little girl who discovers the power of kindness.
The show ran for just a weekend with five sold out shows. The performances held from August 1 to 3, 2025 at the Theatre at Solaire, featured six narrators (Maan Hontiveros, Akiko Thomson-Guevarra, Liza Chan-Parpan, Karylle Tatlonghari, Tim Yap) with Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa taking the stage on gala night. The production was truly an enriching experience for all ages, with live orchestral music, captivating theatrical storytelling, and enthralling choreography.
Maria Ressa with young fans before the show
Peter and the Wolf had many comical moments which appealed to the audience. A graceful bird, an overactive duck, a mischievous cat, and a hungry wolf all dancing to the tune of different instruments surely made an interesting ensemble. Meanwhile, Little Red Riding Hood showed the range of talents from the acting , ballet, and orchestra companies respectively.
The cast of Little Red Red Riding Hood at curtain call.
Outreach Initiative
The production marked not only an artistic milestone but also a major community outreach initiative. As part of this program, seats were made available free of charge for families from selected barangays, giving underserved communities access to a transformative performing arts experience.
“This initiative is more than just performance—it’s about access, education, and inspiring the next generation,” says REP President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio, BP President Kathleen Liechtenstein, MSO Executive Director Jeffrey Solares in a joint statement. “By opening our doors to families from across the community, we hope to spark a lifelong love for the arts.”
Blending theatrical storytelling by REP, breathtaking ballet by BP, and live symphonic music by MSO, the production was a resounding success that entertained, educated, and elevated the arts.
For updates and future show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.
