University of Minnesota Premieres HAYY IBN YAQZAN, 3/3-13

The University of Minnesota is presenting the world premiere of the play Journey, a new English translation and adaption of Hayy ibn Yaqzan, considered one of the spiritual and scientific masterpieces of the medieval Islamic world. Written in the 12th century by Ibn Tufayl, an Andalusian Muslim philosopher and physician, it is the story of the parentless boy Hayy, who is raised in the wild by a gazelle. The death of his gazelle mother sends Hayy on a voyage of scientific inquiry and self-discovery.
 
Hayy ibn Yaqzan ("Alive, son of Awake" in Arabic) was translated into English in the 17th century and served as the inspiration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, which was published in 1719.
 
"Hayy ibn Yaqzan is a compendium of many aspects of Islamic science, in the context of a parable," explains U of M professor William Beeman. In his solitude, the character Hayy uses reason and science to understand the world around him, but comes to an understanding of religious truth-without formal education. And when he finally encounters civilization he finds their religious beliefs insubstantial. "Anyone interested in the influence of Islam on the humanities, or in seeing the world through a medieval lens, will be fascinated by this play," says Beeman.
 
Journey was translated and adapted for the stage by Iranian-American director Mohammad B. Ghaffari. It serves as the centerpiece for a three-day conference at the University of Minnesota, Shared Cultural Spaces, which examines the relationship of Islam and the humanities, namely in architecture, art, literature, new media and science.
 
The role of Hayy will be performed by dancer and choreographer Eddie Bruno Oroyan, a 2010 McKnight dance fellow, and the narrator will be performed by Anika Reitman. The production is movement-oriented and features elements of Ta'ziyeh, a traditional Persian theater form, performed in the round and never before shown in the Twin Cities. Original music will be performed by composer Yukio Tsuji and two additional musicians.
 
Journey will be performed in the Kilburn Arena Stage in Rarig Center on the University of Minnesota's west bank campus. Performances are Thursday to Saturday, February 24 to 26, at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free with general seating and reservations can be made online at http://z.umn.edu/hayyjourney.
 
Additional performances have been added at The Children's Theatre Company, 2400 3rd Ave. S., in Minneapolis on March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7:30; and March 6 and 13 at 2:00 Tickets for CTC performances are $10-20 and available by calling 612-874-0400.
 
Professors William Beeman and Nabil Matar and director Mohammad Ghaffari are available to discuss the production. More information, including biographies, at http://z.umn.edu/hayyjourney.