Focus of The Heart
ballet music by: Andrew Thomas with original story by: Howard L. Kessler
Beijing Dance Academy, Beijing, People's Republic of China
Act: 1 Prologue Tableau |
It is the late 70s. |
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Act-1 Scene-1 Village House |
'Uncle', a shung musician, with flute, erhu, & two pipa musicians keep their music alive. 'Niece' learnes traditional dance by a former professional dancer. Traditional Chinese: sheng; a mouth organ, erhu; a two stringed violin, pipa, a Chinese guitar. |
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Act-1 Scene-2 Village Festival
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Act-1 Scene-3 Village House
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Act-1 Scene-4 Final
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It is the early 80s.
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Uncle & Niece are joyful following their festival performances.
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Uncle & Niece reluctantly leave the village to begin their new lives. |
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Pre-Act-2 |
The Pianist Dabbles | ||
Act-2 Scene-1 Dance Studio
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Mid 90s, during a break in class Uncle shows off his new silver sheng. He gets Niece to dance traditionally as he plays. He is dazzled by how much more beautifully she performs the folk dances. Ballet teacher has him leave. | ||
Act: 2 Scene: 2 |
Niece apologies for the ballet teacher. Uncle tells her how moved he was to see her dance. She is unhappy. He smiles. He has a secrete idea. | ||
Act-2 Scene-2 City Apartment |
Before a ballet performance Niece dances in front of a mirror. She sees herself as a child. She longs for the passion she had dancing with the traditional teacher while Uncle and friends performed. | ||
Act-2 Scene-4 Ballet |
The staged ballet is performed featuring the niece. | ||
Act-2 Scene-5 Dressing Room |
Uncle surprises Niece with the Traditional teacher's visit. Ballet teacher is patronizing to her. Niece danced the folk dances with the training of ballet. Her performance shows the best of skill, tradition, and passion. | ||
Act-2 Scene-6 Fusion Dance |
A fusion dance is performed with great power and joy. | ||
Act-2 Final |
Completing the circle, Uncle watches Niece begin to teach a child how to dance as the curtain falls. | ||