Lookingglass Theatre Co Extends THE ARABIAN NIGHTS For A Second Time Thru 8/30

Due to record-breaking box office demand, Lookingglass Theatre Company extends The Arabian Nights for a second time. The smash hit production must close August 30, 2009. The Lookingglass Original, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman, is now playing at Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Tickets can be purchased online, www.lookingglasstheatre.org; by phone, (312) 337-0665; or at the box office, Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.

Tony Award-winning Ensemble Member Mary Zimmerman returns to the Water Tower Water Works with her Lookingglass Original adaptation of one of the world's most enduring works of literature. When he discovers his wife in the arms of another man, King Shahryar vows to ruthlessly murder every virgin in the kingdom. His brutality is interrupted only when he encounters the clever maiden Scheherezade, whose captivating stories may just save her life. This boldly re-imagined visual feast celebrates the redemptive power of storytelling.

The Arabian Nights is produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and Kansas City Repertory. The production at Berkeley was extended twice and the show played to sold-out houses in Kansas City. The Chicago production has been equally successful; the Lookingglass box office experienced its highest-grossing week ever following the opening of The Arabian Nights.

The cast features Ensemble Member Andy White (Abu al-Hasan through Aug 4), Evan Zes (Abu al-Hasan Aug 5 through closing) with Stacey Yen (Scheherezade), Emjoy Gavino (Dunyazade and Aziza), Barzin Akhavan (Harun al-Rashid), Usman Ally (Mad Man), Ryan Artzberger (Shahryar and Aziz), Minita Gandhi (The Other Woman), Allen Gilmore (Ishak of Mosul), Alana Arenas (Sympathy the Learned), Ronnie Malley (Musician), Ramiz Monsef (Sage), Nicole Shalhoub (Perfect Love), Louis Tucci (Jafar, Musician) and Anthony Flemming III (Greengrocer, Robber).

Designers include company members Andre Pluess (composer/sound designer) and Mara Blumenfeld (costume design), Daniel Ostling (scenic design), Alison Siple (associate costume designer); T.J. Gerckens is the lighting designer. The production stage manager is company member Sara Gmitter.

Location: Lookingglass Theatre Company, located inside Chicago's historic

Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave. at Pearson.

Prices: $30-$66

Target Saturday Matinees offer a limited number of buy one, get one free tickets which are available to all 3:00 p.m. Saturday matinees. This program is made possible with the generous support of Target, working with Lookingglass to make the arts accessible to all.

A limited number of student tickets are available the day of the show for $20 with valid student ID.

Box Office: Buy online at www.lookingglasstheatre.org

or by phone at (312) 337-0665

The Lookingglass box office is located at Water Tower Water Works, 821 N. Michigan Ave.

The Arabian Nights is an important part of Lookingglass' storied history. In 1992, Lookingglass first rehearsed and produced The Arabian Nights at the Kinnicutt Center in Islesboro, Maine, followed closely by productions at Chicago Filmmakers and an extended run at Remains Theatre that fall. The Arabian Nights was again produced by Lookingglass in 1997 at The Actors' Gang in Los Angeles and Brooklyn Academy Of Music, finally closing after critically-acclaimed run in the Steppenwolf Studio Theatre. The Arabian Nights garnered Jeff Citations for Best Production, Best Direction, Best Ensemble and Best Original Music. The 2009 production, featuring ensemble members David Catlin, Andy White and Heidi Stillman, all of whom appeared in the inaugural production, illustrates the continued relevance of these timeless stories when the world's relationship with the Middle East has become deeper and more complex.

 

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