Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like

Adapted by Bret Fetzer
Based on the book by Jay Williams
Directed by Rita Giomi

Long ago and far away, outside the gates of the ancient Chinese city of Wu, young Han, an orphan, and his pet pig Ping, keep the entrance swept and tidy. Han is ever in search of a future for himself, a place where he can belong. With this in mind, he spends his time using his trusty broom to practice his fierce soldiering skills, so he can help protect the city one day. A Hermit who lives nearby is disturbed by Han’s boisterous games and the city that has apparently grown at her doorstep. She tells him that the city must be moved. Han politely ignores the outrageous demand of the Hermit and continues his “training,” until a Merchant comes to the gate. The wily trader tricks the impressionable Han into giving up all he has, even his beloved Ping, in exchange for worthless, old goods. Luckily, a Servant from the ruling Mandarin’s kitchen comes to bring Han his meal for the day and sees what has been done. The Merchant isn’t the only one who can play a trick or two—the savvy Servant gets all of Hans things returned to the boy by outwitting the slick trader at his own game.

This has been a rough day for the young gate keeper, so it’s understandable that he’s not at his most observant when a messenger Monk arrives. The boy leads the Monk to the palace to see the Mandarin, a great, if somewhat simple, ruler. Here the Monk tells of the Wild Horsemen. This marauding tribe of warriors is bent on sacking Wu and making all the citizens eat beetles and worms. Being in the presence of the great ruler, and fear of such a disgusting fate, has sharpened Han’s wits, and he belatedly realizes the Monk is no monk at all—he is really one of the Wild Horsemen! The bumbling Mandarin decrees that all of Wu must pray to the Great Cloud Dragon for help, giving Han the important task of waiting for the Dragon’s arrival at the city’s gates. On hearing the commotion, the Hermit emerges from her cave and announces that she is, in fact, the Dragon. Han has had his leg pulled too often today to be taken in by such an outrageous claim.

Although, he doubts her, Han is always polite, so he takes the Hermit to see the Mandarin. The leader has no time for the rantings of a silly old lady. He beckons a guard to throw them out, but Han recognizes the guard as the Horseman. When the Mandarin refuses to help save Han, the Horseman turns on the poor child, who luckily manages to make his escape. The rest of the city begins to flee, but Ping will not abandon his home. And Han will not leave his pet behind. The Hermit, still unsure why she had been summoned and then so rudely treated, arouses Han’s sympathy, and he invites her back to his ramshackle hut to weather the attack. Han gives the Hermit all his meager food and water, which touches her heart. Due to Han’s, and Ping’s, bravery and generosity of spirit, the Hermit saves the city from the Wild Horsemen and, at last, reveals her true Dragon form. And now Han knows the future he’d like for himself—being a dragon.


ASL Interpreted school show: March 28

ASL Interpreted public show: March 31

Family Date Night Dinner: April 20

Target Family Matinee: March 31

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