By Connie Shaver, TigerLion

2012 is the Year of the Dragon and in collaboration with the Minnesota Boychoir, Puppet Farm Arts, and Circus Juventas, TigerLion Arts will present the world premiere of The Dragons Are Singing Tonight ~ the musical tale of a nasty nasty dragon at the Southern. Theater. Performances will begin January 26 and run through February 12. I look forward to seeing this new work.

The Dragons Are Singing Tonight is a new musical based on the well-loved book of dragon poems by U.S. Children’s Poet Laureate Jack Prelutsky. Composer Laurie MacGregor brings the poems to life in a score of sixteen songs, while Markell Kiefer (TigerLion Arts) directs actors Isabella Dawis (StarTribune’s “Outstanding Youth Performer” 2004, 2005), Tyson Forbes (TigerLion Arts), Matthew Thao, and Elise Langer in the story of an ordinary boy, a magical girl, and a nasty, nasty dragon. Thirty singing boys from the Minnesota Boychoir, three dazzling aerialists from Circus Juventas, 12 top-notch musicians, and countless puppets both giant and small create a wonderful winged world of dragons. The musical tale inspires us with humor, beauty, and the simple message to believe.

Performances will run January 26 through February 12, Thursdays through Sundays at the Southern Theater. Public Performance Schedule

• Preview: January 26, 2012
• Continues: January 27–February 12
• Thursdays & Fridays – 7pm
• Saturdays – 1 & 5pm
• Sundays – 1pm

Ticket Prices

• VIP: $30 Adults, $25 Children/Seniors
• Zone 1: $27 Adults, $22 Children/Seniors
• Zone 2: $25 Adults, $20 Children/Seniors
• Children (15 & under); Seniors (65 & over)
• Preview performance January 26: all tickets $15
• Recommended for ages 4 & up

For more information go to www.tigerlion.org.