The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance will present the tales of ‘The Arabian Nights’ by Mary Zimmerman at 7:30 p.m. April 15-16, 2 p.m. April 17, 7:30 p.m. April 18-23, and 2 p.m. April 24 in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre at the Creative Arts Center.

As directed by Leland Blair, associate professor of acting, “Arabian Nights” will take the audience on a journey of love, riddles, danger, lust, and beyond.

Each night Scheherazade must recount old legends of love, lust, and revenge to cure King Shahryar’s anger and broken heart, meanwhile fighting to save her own life. Her voice is within the ensemble of “The Arabian Nights” as they inhabit these colorful and imaginative stories night after night.

“This show pushes the boundaries of imagination through the work of an ensemble cast joined with a fantastical design,” said Blair. “The spectacle of this show is a conglomeration of music, dance, lights, setting, and costumes which invite the audience to immerse themselves in each moment.”

Zimmerman adapted “The Arabian Nights” from the classic tales of “The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night,” which is a collection of Middle Eastern and South Asian stories and legends collected during the Islamic Golden Age. All of these stories were collected from centuries of folklore writers, and Zimmerman has carefully selected the ones best suited to tell her story about love and courage to stand up against a force of evil.

The role of Scheherezade will be portrayed by junior Bachelor of Fine Arts actor Nativa Kesecker, and King Shahryar will be portrayed by senior Bachelor of Arts Major Afsheen Misaghi. Lighting design is by Alan McEwen, costumes by Mary McClung, scenery by Master of Fine Arts candidate James Raymond, and sound by undergraduate Trey Dunlevy.
For tickets and information, please contact the WVU Box Office at 304-293-SHOW or visit Ticketmaster.

For more information on this production of “Courtship and Valentine’s Day” please visit www.theatre.wvu.edu, call 304-293-2020, or email theatre@mail.wvu.edu.

-WVU-

04/05/16

CONTACT: David Welsh, College of Creative Arts
304.293.3397, David.Welsh@mail.wvu.edu

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