Dragon Songs, the first rock opera to be performed on Cortes Island, is getting ready for its opening night this month.

Written and produced by Thomas Basil, who also performs in the show, the rock opera features a mythical dragon as the central character who goes through trials and tribulations and, in the end, overcomes challenges.

Poster publicizing the Dragon Songs production. Photo by Greg Osoba.

Basil says there's no coincidence that the production is being staged on Sunday, Dec. 18, close to the winter solstice on Dec. 21. She says Dragon Songs has a theme of hope and returning to the light, adding that her inspiration for the piece came after she appeared in a nativity play. Basil says she was surprised by the Christian theme of that play and came away wanting to create her own production timed to coincide with the winter solstice.

The writer and producer is also already working on another production.

Tickets for Dragon Songs are available at the door at Mansons Hall on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18.