A New Musical Adaptation of The Snow Queen to Premiere at Ancram Opera House

ANCRAM — The Ancram Opera House will present a new music-theatre adaptation of “The Snow Queen,” the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, in a staged concert in December, with book and lyrics by Barbara Wiechmann, music by Lisa Dove, and direction by Jeffrey Mousseau.

Performances are Dec. 6, 7 and 13, at 7 p.m., and Dec. 8, 14 and 15, at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $25 and available at ancramoperahouse.org. Children will be admitted free. This production is not recommended for children younger than nine.

While “The Snow Queen” has inspired, among others, C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” and Disney’s “Frozen,” this production hews closely to the original 1884 story: a magic mirror distorts the good and beautiful into the bad and ugly, a boy is kidnapped by the icy-hearted Snow Queen, and a girl journeys barefoot through the world to rescue him.

Intended as much for adults as for kids — Hans Christian Andersen always had adults in mind — the production explores how, at any age, people can be surprised by the way life unfolds. The staged concert will be enhanced with a winter-inspired production design created by Sarah Edkins (scenic), Ayumu “Poe” Saegusa (lighting) and Denise Massman (costumes).

Development of “The Snow Queen” has been supported through a residency at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington as part of New Visions/New Voice, a biennial celebration of new work for young audiences; a workshop production as part of Culturemart at HERE Arts Center, NYC; and a full production with students at Siena College.

The Ancram Opera House, located at 1330 County Route 13, is an award-winning intimate performance hall showcasing contemporary theatre and alternative cabaret by visionary theater and musical artists. For tickets and information visit www.ancramoperahouse.org.