Director’s Note

Hear from Eboni Adams, the stage director and choreographer for The Snowy Day.

At its heart, The Snowy Day celebrates life’s simple joys—the crunch of snow beneath our feet, a snowball carefully tucked into a pocket, and the wonder of seeing the world through a child’s eyes.  

For over 60 years, Ezra Jack Keats’ beloved children’s book has captivated readers with Peter’s journey of discovery on a snowy day. Inspired by the book The Snowy Day, the opera retells this timeless story through composer Joel Thompson’s vibrant music and Andrea Davis Pinkney’s expressive libretto. This opera not only amplifies Peter’s adventures with depth beyond his first encounter with snow, but it also adds a rich inclusion of the Spanish language and Dominican bachata music, reflecting the beauty of our diverse world and offering a cultural bridge that resonates across generations and backgrounds.   

This one-act opera explores the bonds of family, the strength found in community, and the courage to face life’s challenges. Whether it’s tender moments with his parents, the highs of friendship, or the struggle to confront bullies, Peter’s journey mirrors pieces of our own lives. The closing scene, “New Day Rising,” reminds us of the promise of renewal, hope, and new beginnings.    

In a time so often filled with distractions, I’m thrilled to make my opera directorial debut with The Snowy Day at Minnesota Opera. This story invites us to slow down, reconnect with the world around us, and rediscover what it feels like to be a child again, open-hearted and full of joy. For those familiar with the book and those experiencing the story here for the first time, I hope that The Snowy Day reminds us that even life’s simplest moments can hold extraordinary magic—if we choose to see it.   

May Peter’s story inspire you to embrace life’s fleeting wonders and find beauty in every snowy day.