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Aiza Marquez is Gantimpala’s "Sleeping Beauty"

by Alwin Ignacio
Wednesday, October 1, 2008 10:48 AM
Photography: Courtesy of Gantimpala

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Aiza Marquez is Gantimpala’s "Sleeping Beauty"

Aiza Marquez, who was last seen on GMA-7's drama series Kung mahawi man ang Ulap, plays Sleeping Beauty in the Gantimpala Theater production.

One of the all time favorite fairy tales, the enchanting Sleeping Beauty comes alive on the Gantimpala Theater stage as an original Filipino children's musical filled with magic, fairies and love, written by multi-awarded playwright J. Dennis Teodosio with music by award winning musical composer Jesse Lucas, under the direction of Tony Espejo.

The story of the play begins when the kingdom christens the beautiful Princess Annabella (played by Aiza Marquez). The good fairies, that act as her godmothers gives gifts to the princess. Margarita bestows upon her the gift of charm and beauty; Armida, the gift of music and dance to the newborn tot.

Before Esperanza declares her gift, she announces the betrothal of Princess Annabella to her young nephew, Reginald. She then gives the princess a gold necklace, a token from Reginald's king father.

Lucinda, the Mistress of All Evil, barges in the party, fuming mad for not having an invitation to the christening. In her anger, she curses the princess to die when she touches a spinning wheel's spindle on her eighteenth birthday.

Fortunately, Esperanza uses her gift to weaken Lucinda's curse: the princess will not die when she touches the spinning wheel instead; she will fall asleep until she is awaken by the power of true love's first kiss.

Thus, the musical moves on with the princess and prince individually growing up as they search for life's true meaning and discovering the wonders of romantic love, a battle between good versus evil ensues, and in the end, the question of "will they live happily ever after?" gets an answer.

Giving life to the fairy tale character's are Aiza Marquez (Princess Annabella); Noel Rayos (Prince Reginald); Leo Ponseca (King); Maricar Abella (Queen); Alexis Aubrey Fernandez (Margarita); Meldea Flor Formacil (Armida); Tosca Puno (Esperanza); and Ms. Kakai Bautista (Lucinda).

"Humor, choreography, and music reinvents the popular fairy tale and we reintroduce all the charming characters from the king and the queen to the common tao, from the good fairies to the angst-laden villainess, I am sure everyone will have a grand time as the love story of Annabella and Reginald unfolds," says director Tony Espejo.

Helping Espejo bring Sleeping Beauty on stage are Joey Nombres (Lights Designer); Eric Cruz (Set Designer); Albert Figueras (Costume Designer); Carlos Niño Percil (Choreographer); Allain de Leon (assistant director); Alice Borbe (Production Manager); Marianne Sedotes (assistant production manager/assistant set designer); and Jay-R Inocencio (Stage Manager).

For information, booking and ticket reservations, call the Gantimpala Theater Marketing Office at 899-5745/896-3503 or 474-5198 or write to gantimpalatheater@yahoo.com.ph

Performances: October 15-18 (10 am/2 pm)

Venue: AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City