‘Jewel Heart’ captures author’s ballet lesson experiences
Published 6:35 pm Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Children’s author and illustrator Barbara Helen Berger wrote her story “The Jewel Heart” based on her own ballet lessons as a young girl.
The lead character Gemino in “Jewel Heart” is a harlequin doll, much like Berger’s first dance costume.
Berger’s book is the inspiration for the ballet “The Jewel Heart,” presented by the Emerald Ballet Theatre in a premiere performance.
The story is based on the voiceless Gemino, whose heart is a jewel and who communicates by playing his violin for the ballerina Pavell.
One day, Pavell finds Gemino injured from a near-fatal fall and tends to him, sewing in a new heart that is a plain brown seed.
The seed sprouts beautifully, demonstrating the powers of healing and love.
Emerald Ballet’s students and adult professionals collaborated on this production with adults performing the lead roles as school students fill in the children’s parts.
In addition, the Redmond High School Choir and the Redmond High School Orchestra play pieces such as Mozart’s “Requiem,” according to program notes.
Emerald Ballet’s artistic director Viktoria Titova, a Bolshoi-trained ballerina, choreographed the production.
“The Jewel Heart” will be presented at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday at Northshore Performing Arts Center, 18125 92nd Ave. NE, Bothell.
Author Barbara Helen Berger will meet guests from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday in the NPAC lobby.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $21 for seniors and $15 for students and youth. Call 425-883-3405 or go to www.emeraldballet.org.
Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.
