written and directed by mary zimmerman
adapted from the book of the thousand nights and one night
a co-production with kansas city repertory theatre
main season | thrust stage
november 13, 2008–january 18 2009
Running time: 2 hours and 35 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission
the play
Mary Zimmerman’s Argonautika was a sold-out, seven-week sensation. Now she returns to Berkeley Rep with her remarkable take on The Arabian Nights. The Tony Award-winning creator of Metamorphoses made her career by reanimating ancient myths, and here she 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. As he falls under Scheherazade’s spell, Zimmerman enchants the audience as well with her signature style that transforms simplicity into the sublime. Amidst a thousand tales of honor, revenge and humor, only love emerges victorious.
the players
Mary Zimmerman received the 2002 Tony Award for directing Metamorphoses. Like her other hits—Argonautika, Journey to the West, The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci and The Secret in the Wings—that show made its West Coast premiere at Berkeley Rep. This is her sixth production at Berkeley Rep, and this time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage.