Where Elephants Weep
Scenic & Lighting Design
World premiere produced by John Burt and Amrita Performing Arts at the Chenla Theatre, Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November of 2008
Composed by Him Sophy, Libretto by Catharine Filloux
Directed by Robert McQueen
Costume Design by Camille Assaf
Where Elephants Weep is the first Cambodian rock opera. It tells a modern story about Cambodians returning to their country following 30 years of civil strife. Loosely based on an ancient Cambodian love story, the opera follows Sam, a refugee from the Khmer Rouge genocide, who leaves America to return to his homeland, committed to finding his roots. He unexpectedly falls in love with Bopha, a Cambodian pop star. The story examines generational and social dislocations caused by war, as well as more traditional clashes with modernity.