The UTEP Department of Theatre and Dance will present its fifth show of the season, “The Arabian Nights,” on March 21 at the Wise Family Theatre.
“Arabian Nights” is a fairytale made up of other fairytales. It is about a young girl, Scheherazade, who tells the stories in order to save her own life and saves her nation by relating passionate, dramatic and heartfelt stories for King Shahryar
Each night, the king marries and kills a virgin girl from his kingdom. In order to keep herself and her people alive, Scheherazade agrees to marry the king and tells stories that last for Arabian nights in order to heal his broken heart.
“The Arabian Nights” is an adaptation written by Mary Zimmerman and is directed by Rebecca Rivas, visiting assistant professor of theater and dance.
“The ‘Arabian Nights’ exemplifies the power of the stage,” said Brian Ceely, freshman theatre arts major. “It is live and we form the worlds with our bodies and voices, telling a powerful story in ways that movies never could.”
According to Ceely, Rivas played with a lot with the themes about women’s education in middle eastern countries, a topic that is “affecting the women of the world.”
As part of the many tales that the character Scheherazade tells, Ceely plays the Madman, whose story is about the consequences of unfounded pride and hypocrisy. He must overcome these flaws in himself if he is to find love.
“My favorite scene in ‘Arabian Nights’ would be The Madman’s Tale because of all the singing, dancing and acrobatics,” said Rossy Sanchez, senior theater arts major.
Her expectations for opening night are very high.
“It’s going to be lots of fun. It’s a charming piece of theater, filled with stories that take you to new and beautiful places and will make you laugh until your sides hurt,” Rivas said. “This is a truly talented cast. In addition to singing and dancing, they play musical instruments, tumble and even juggle.”
Since there are many tales being told, each actor plays more than one role. For example, you may see senior theater arts major Alexander Wright playing Jafar the wizard, a robber, a dancer and even a camel.
“We have a cast of chameleons,” Rivas said. “I’m very grateful to them for sharing their abilities so generously.”
Despite the tales lasting 1,001 nights, “Arabian Nights” will only be at the Wise Family Theater for seven days. Rivas encourages anyone who is headed for the movie theater to come see this live.
“It is more than just a play, it is a piece of music, dance and theater— a triple-threat,” Rivas said. “We have such talent on the stage and ‘Arabian Nights’ will take you away to a different place other than the Wise.”
For more information, call 747-5118.
Amber Gomez may be reached at [email protected].
