Arabian Nights at Arena Stage : K Street Magazine

“In ancient Baghdad, a courageous young girl postpones her execution by weaving magical tales for the troubled king. Genies and jesters, lovers and thieves spring to life from Scheherazade’s imagination – allowing her to win the king’s heart even as she secures her freedom…”

Arena Stage rolls out the Persian carpets for “Arabian Nights,” Middle Eastern tales of temptation, sexuality and infidelity adapted from “The Book of One Thousand Nights and One Night.” Mary Zimmerman wrote and directed this mesmerizing two and a half hour show, now on view at Arena’s theatre in the round in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre and the Lookingglass Theatre Company. It features delicates dances – both in the characters’ physical movements and in sidestepping a potentially horrible fate.

Though it is the cliffhangers that keep Scheherazade alive, it is the comedy – and improvised pop culture cues – that make “Arabian Nights” a must see. Historical and hilarious, the funny fables will leave you laughing with lessons learned – and Scheherazade’s life!

*”Arabian Nights” runs through February 20th. Tickets and info here.