The Snow Queen

The Snow Queen adapted by Stanton Wood

(7)
Productions (10)
Comedy/Drama for young audiences
|
65 - 70 minutes
5 W, 3 M, 1 Any (4-10 actors possible: 2-5 W, 2-5 M)
Set: A simple, flexible set for fluid transitions between various locations.

Kay is playing with Gerda when a tear from the Snow Queen's mirror becomes lodged in his eye, forcing all the thoughts that make him sad to become magnified. Unable to face the world, Kay retreats to the South Pole with the Snow Queen where all his pain is replaced by numbness. Armed with the power of hope and love, Gerda braves many obstacles, including a giant squid, a river, and a Robber Maiden, to find and save her best friend. Set in New York City, this play puts a new spin on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Kay is playing with Gerda when a tear from the Snow Queen's mirror becomes lodged in his eye, forcing all the thoughts that make him sad to become magnified. Unable to face the world, Kay retreats to the South Pole with the Snow Queen where all his pain is replaced by numbness. Armed with the power of hope and love, Gerda braves many obstacles, including a giant squid, a river, and a Robber Maiden, to find and save her best friend. Set in New York City, this play puts a new spin on Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale.

  • Comedy/Drama for young audiences
  • |
  • 65 - 70 minutes
  • 5 W, 3 M, 1 Any (4-10 actors possible: 2-5 W, 2-5 M)
  • Set: A simple, flexible set for fluid transitions between various locations.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-676-3

Published Reviews

"Featuring samba rhythms, urban raps, a cross-dressing reindeer and hip-hop-embracing adolescents, this magical Snow Queen manages to be both undeniably New York and authentically Andersen."

Laurel Graeber, The New York Times

"It's to Mr. Wood's credit that the contemporary humor never diminishes the tale's tenderness. He has increased the story's resonance by giving Kay a concrete reason for his misery (his parents' arguing) and by making the Snow Queen a bereaved mother who is less a fairy-tale villain than a haunting symbol of the dangers of grief turned inward."

Laurel Graeber, The New York Times

"The modern day Snow Queen is a heartwarming rendition of the original and a great way to introduce the very young to both the theater and classic tales."

Danielle Sullivan, Big Apple Parent

"The easiest way to measure the worthiness of theater for children is by the behavior of its young audience. At The Snow Queen...the audience is engaged for the full hour. Hats off to an ensemble effort: clear storytelling, an energetic cast, easy yet magical sets, and whimsical costumes."

Jo Ann Rosen, nytheatre.com

Production History

AUG 02, 2019 - AUG 07, 2019
Terrell High School
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Terrell High School Edinburgh, United Kingdom
JUL 19, 2019 - JUL 19, 2019
Terrell High School
TERRELL, TX United States
Terrell High School TERRELL, TX United States
MAY 03, 2019 - MAY 03, 2019
Terrell High School
TERRELL, TX United States
Terrell High School TERRELL, TX United States
NOV 30, 2018 - DEC 02, 2018
Gravette High School
Gravette, AR United States
Gravette High School Gravette, AR United States
SEP 27, 2017 - OCT 26, 2017
St. Patrick - St. Vincent High School
Vallejo, CA United States
St. Patrick - St. Vincent High School Vallejo, CA United States
JAN 29, 2016 - FEB 07, 2016
Indiana Players
Indiana, PA United States
Indiana Players Indiana, PA United States
DEC 11, 2014 - DEC 14, 2014
Forsyth Central High School
Cumming, GA United States
Forsyth Central High School Cumming, GA United States
NOV 15, 2014 - NOV 23, 2014
Walden Theatre
Louisville, KY United States
Walden Theatre Louisville, KY United States
NOV 15, 2012 - NOV 17, 2012
Buffalo High School Theatre
Buffalo, MN United States
Buffalo High School Theatre Buffalo, MN United States
DEC 15, 2005 - JAN 15, 2006
Urban Stages Theater
New York, NY United States
Urban Stages Theater New York, NY United States
No upcoming productions.
DEC 15, 2005 - JAN 15, 2006
Urban Stages Theater
New York, NY United States
Urban Stages Theater New York, NY United States