Overview

conceived and directed by mary Zimmerman
adapted from the book of the thousand nights and one night
translated by powys mathers
special presentation | thrust stage
december 11–30, 2010—only 24 performances!

The play

Two seasons ago, Arabian Nights inspired nightly standing ovations and whoops and hollers from Berkeley Rep audience members. Now the show returns for a special, ultra-limited holiday engagement December 11–30. Director Mary Zimmerman, the remarkable Tony Award-winning creator of Argonautika and Metamorphoses, once again breathes new life into the legend of the 1,001 nights. To save her life, a beautiful bride must spin hypnotic tales of genies, jesters, thieves and kings—winning her freedom by eventually winning her husband’s heart. He falls under Scheherazade’s spell, and Zimmerman enchants the audience as well with her signature style that transforms simplicity into the sublime. Amid a thousand tales of honor, revenge and humor, only love emerges victorious. Calling Arabian Nights, one of 2008’s best shows, Robert Hurwitt raved in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Zimmerman and her cast transport the audience through hilarious and poignant tales of greed, sex and revenge, each tale opening into another and another, to a lingering, redemptive and provocative end.”