Fil-Am choreographs Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale musical

Filipino American Cat Delos Santos Reyes is choreographing Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s musical “The Song of the Nightingale.” CONTRIBUTED

SAN JOSE, California — Filipino American Cat Delos Santos Reyes is the choreographer for Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre’s musical “The Song of the Nightingale.”

When ambitious kitchen-maid Mei Lin discovers that the Emperor of China is searching for the Nightingale, whose song brings hope to the people of the land, she offers to help find and capture the bird in exchange for a lofty promotion.

This transaction has tragic consequences, however, as Mei Lin soon learns that the Emperor is a foolish ruler who cannot see beyond the bird’s plain outer appearance. Based on a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, this magical, musical romp reminds audiences that true beauty and worth are always found within.

Filipino Americans involved in the production include director Jepoy Ramos and actors Ann Warque (Mei Lin) and Simon Santos (Mei Lin’s romantic partner, Xiao).

Collaboration

“It’s all about collaboration with Cat,” says Ramos. “I told her my vision for the production and using that information, she created all the choreography based on her interpretation. I definitely trusted her and listened to her input and ideas.”

Ramos’s credits include “No Goodbyes” and “Cristiano’s Kween” for Bindlestiff Studio, “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” and “Rent the Musical,” among others. “I will be producing ‘Seussical’ with Woodside Musical Theatre in the late summer and I’m directing ‘Spring Awakening’ for Pacifica Spindrift Players in the winter,” he says.

Filipino American actors Simon Santos (left) who plays Xiao and Ann Warque who plays Mei Lin rehearsing for “The Song of the Nightingale.” CONTRIBUTED

“In musicals, choreography is so important as it allows the story to flow through the artists’ movements and dance. It elevates the story telling and allows the artist to express their emotions that can’t be contained with the delivery of dialogue or songs.

“It’s been a great experience working with Cat. She is truly a talented artist. She is very good at teaching choreography and is very patient with the actors. I will definitely want to work with her again in the future!”

Proud

This is not Reyes’ first production with Tri-Valley. She has co-choreographed “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.”

As a performer, her credits include “In the Heights,” “West Side Story,” “Tarzan” and “Grease.”

A California native, Reyes began her dance training in high school. “For most of my life, until high school, I played basketball. Eventually, I decided I didn’t want to continue it but still needed a form of movement, so I tried out dance and never went back,” she says.

She currently teaches at different studios in the Bay Area in the styles of hip hop, jazz and contemporary. She’s also a teaching artist, choreographer, and performer with Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theater.

She’s also choreographed national award-winning dances for small groups and solos. Her passions are her students and teaching them in hopes that they find the same love in the arts as she does.

“What I hope to achieve for the choreography in this show is that it’s fun and that you feel like you’re having a good time,” she says. “I also want to make sure I tell a story and display who the characters are as a person through every movement. I hope the audience takes away the amazing aspect that it’s an all Asian American Pacific Islander cast and staff in this show. I’m so proud of that!”