My Blue Rhapsody
My Blue Rhapsody is an important performance about bullying and its consequences. Using the music of George Gershwin, we shift between a dream state and reality, between the present and past, in the protagonist’s struggle to boldly face reality.
About the video
- Published online 7 December 2020.
- Filmed 14 & 15 October 2020.
- The video is approximately 45 minutes.
- Subtitles in English and Swedish is activated by using the CC control in the video player.
The show is recommended from 13 years and up. The language used in this performance reflects reality and may sometimes be perceived as vulgar. The performance is in Swedish.
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After experiencing bullying, the protagonist of My Blue Rhapsody has become withdrawn. She lives through her alter ego on social media, where she is pretty, popular and confident. But the cruelty of bullies has left a mark on her, stirring questions in her isolated reality: “Why me?”
Because of the important nature of this subject, this performance was recorded instead, so anyone who wants to can watch in their classroom via Konserthuset Play.
All schools, families, students and others must be aware of bullying, and never ignore it. It is universal and can take many forms, through pictures or disparaging or offensive comments on social media.
This performance is a way to handle the subject and provide a framework for discussion. Using the music of George Gershwin, we shift between a dream state and reality, between the present and past, in the protagonist’s struggle to move forward and boldly face reality again.
The performance was written and performed by Evelyn Jons. She has been in numerous musicals, including Chess, Cats, and Guys and Dolls at the Göteborg Opera; she also performed the role of Jenny in The Threepenny Opera at The Norwegian Theater.
Playing the piano is Magnus Sköld, who has become established as a versatile, wide-ranging and multi-genre artist. He performed the organ section in Folkoperan’s acclaimed production of Philip Glass’ opera Satyagraha. Karin Hammar is one of Sweden’s leading jazz trombone players. She has toured Sweden and beyond with her ensemble, Fab 4, and has received acclaim from Swedish and international press.
School resources
On the organizations Friends and Nolltolerans mot mobbning's websites, for example, you will find more material for teachers and students in different grades to work with. Only in Swedish.
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The music
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George Gershwin From Rhapsody in Blue
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George Gershwin Prelude II (Blue Lullaby)
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George Gershwin Let's Call the Whole Thing Off (text: Ira Gershwin)
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George Gershwin Fascinating Rhythm (text: Ira Gershwin)
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George Gershwin Cuban Overture
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George Gershwin Someone to Watch Over Me (text: Ira Gershwin)
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Participants
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Evelyn Jons vocals, actor, script and direction
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Karin Hammar trombone
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Magnus Sköld piano
