The Arabian Nights

The Arabian Nights production at the Connecticut Repertory Theatre at the University of Connecticut is a Persian delight of sights, sounds energy and color.
The story of the Arabian Nights, here adapted by Mary Zimmerman, is an old one. A compellation of tales and legends gathered from oral traditions of India, Persia, Syria, Egypt and Arabia, and first written in Arabic around 1,200 years ago, may be familiar to many.
Also known as “1001 Nights,” the central story focuses on a king, Shahryar, (played with authority by Luke Daniels) who kills his wife after she is found in the arms of another. He proceeds to marry and summarily executes a new bride nightly, until he marries Scheherezade, (play by Lauretta Pope with gritty determination).
Scheherezade determines to tell Shahryar a tale nightly- each night ending with a cliffhanger so compelling he postpones her imminent death one more night, night after night for 1001 nights.
But what many may not know about this story is the variety, rich beauty, and humor within the numerous allegories, poetic allusions, fables and moral tales themselves.
The troop of 16 actors and musicians, a truly ensemble cast, weave an enchanting spell of visual and musical magic.
The first act has a carnival-like bawdy atmosphere, with precision juggling, energetic acrobatics and perfectly timed choreography are a perfect fit for this youthful college production.
The second act is more subdued, with a glorious elegiac, although rapid definition of the Koran shared with confidence by Hillary Leigh Parker, playing Sympathy the Learned.
The costumes, but Katarina Urosevic, are a visual riot of oranges, fuschias, purples, and blues. Particularly notable were the learned men’s vibrant robes at the start of the second act, in stark contrast to Sympathy's simple cream-colored garb.
The set on the thrust stage at the Nafe Katter Theatre was bestrewn with silken pillows and piles of oriental rugs, worked well to enhance the enchanted, mystical atmosphere.
Places evoked and referred to in this production, such as Iraq, Iran, Baghdad, and Basrah, are important reminders that the Middle East is much more than an embattled and war-scarred land, but home to a complex and glorious culture worth understanding, appreciating and respecting.

THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

Three Stars
Location: Nafe Katter Theater 802 Bolton Road, Storrs.
Production: By Mary Zimmerman, Directed by Dale AJ Rose. Scenic design Isaac Ramsey. Lighting Design by Jen Rock. Costume design by Katarina Urosevic. Composer, Jamal Mohamed. Production stage manager by Mary P. Costello. Voice and speech coach, Karen Ryker. Choreographer, Monica Willding. Technical direction by John W. Parmelee. Choreographed by Monica Willding. Movement coach, Gregory Webster. Musicians Nickolai Ruskin and Fugan Dineen on percussion.
Running time: About 2 1/2 hours with one intermission.
Show Times: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Oct. 14.
Tickets: From $11 to $28. Call 486-4266 or visit their Web site at www.crt.uconn.edu.

ACTOR...CHARACTER
Luke Daniels...Shahryar and others
Lauretta Pope...Scheherezade and others
Catherine Yudain...Dunayzade and others
Nicholas Dillenburg...Harun al-Rashid and others
Michael Hanson...Jafar and others
Christopher Hirsh...Madman and others
Heddy Lahmann...Perfect Love and others
Daniel Sheridan...Jester and others
Dean Alcott...Greengrocer and others
Meghan O'Leary...Butcher and others
Andrew Grusetskie...Clarinetist and others
Dan O'Brien...Boy and others
Kate Shine...Girl and others
Joseph Gallina...Abu al-Hasan and others
Hillary Leigh Parker...Sympathy the Learned and others
Wayne Pyle...Ishak of Mosel and others