"The Arabian Nights,” and the Transformative Power of Storytelling to Play at CSUSB

SAN BERNARDINO >> In winter 2016, Cal State San Bernardino’s theatre arts department will present “The Arabian Nights,” by Mary Zimmerman, adapted from “The Book of One Thousand Nights and One.” This celebration of the transformative power of storytelling, directed by Kathryn Ervin, CSUSB theatre arts professor, and music composed by Allen Menton, assistant professor of music, opens Friday, March 11, and runs for nine performances through Sunday, March 20, at the CSUSB Barnes Theatre. The play then moves to the Indian Wells Theater at the Palm Desert Campus for two additional performances, April 9 and 10. “The Arabian Nights” is not recommended for anyone under the age of 17. This famous collection of stories spans many centuries and includes literature and folklore from across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. This spellbinding adaptation offers a blend of lesser-known tales using improvisation and movement to remind us all of the power of stories to soften our hearts. The Sultan Shahryar is heartbroken by his unfaithful wife. In an infamous act of revenge he marries, loves, then kills his brides – until the fateful day he weds Scheherazade, a clever young woman who delays her death by intriguing the mad king with tales of laughter, love, lust, sorrow and dreams. For 1,001 nights Scheherazade concludes one tale, then begins a second one, prolonging her life in an attempt to sway her husband’s cold heart. Playwright Zimmerman is the renowned director and author behind plays such as “Journey to the West,” “Metamorphoses,” “Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci,” “Secret in the Wings,” and “Argonautika.” She was the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship in 1998, and the winner of a Tony Award for Best Direction in 2002 for her work on “Metamorphoses.” Her adaptation of “The Arabian Nights” was completed in 1992, earning her a nomination in 1994 for a Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Director of a Play). Individual and season tickets can be purchased from the CSUSB Theatre Arts Box Office by phone at (909) 537-5884, or online at Theatre Box Office. Tickets are $6 for students and children under 17; $12 for faculty, staff, senior citizens and military; $15 for general admission. Performances take place in the Ronald E. Barnes Theatre on the CSUSB campus. Parking at CSUSB is $6 Monday-Friday and $3 on weekends.