The Snow Dragon

Synopsis Summary

The Snow Dragon centers on the relationship between Dora Marx, a jaded children’s counselor who has lost her sense of direction, and Billy Binder, a physically abused foster boy whose rage is so powerful it has opened a doorway into another world called the Fallen Country. The Fallen Country is not a colorful kingdom of adventure but a place of perpetual cold, whose citizens have lost the ability to feel. Home of The Snow Dragon, Billy’s guide and ally, The Fallen Country is ruled by an oppressive dictator known as the Ringmaster. Defeating the Ringmaster in the fantasy kingdom is the key to overcoming Billy’s problems in the real world. Dora must put aside the comfort of her complacency and truly believe Billy’s stories, so that she can follow him into the Ringmaster’s kingdom and find redemption for herself as well as the boy. The opera libretto for The Snow Dragon is based on Somtow Sucharitkul’s 1982 short story The Fallen Country. The short story was also adapted into a young adult novel in 1986 but stage work derives from the original short story rather than the novel.

Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Contains strongly suggested violence.

Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes (including a 20 minute intermission)

NEW! Somtow Sucharitkul re-releases his book The Fallen Country along with the libretto from the opera! Available only through Amazon.com.