Berkeley Rep's THE ARABIAN NIGHTS Extends Again, Now Ends 1/18

This year, the hottest holiday gift has been hard to come by: tickets to see The Arabian Nights at Berkeley Repertory Theatre have disappeared faster than snowballs in the Sahara, so today the company announced a second - and final - extension for this popular production.

Another eight performances have been added to the run, but this hit show must close on Sunday, January 18 to begin a tour that will take it to Kansas City and Chicago.

"Every time Mary Zimmerman has worked her magic on our stage, audiences have responded enthusiastically," remarked Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Rep. "But at this particular moment in time, when the world can seem so dark, people really appreciate the humor, and humanity in her work. I am extremely pleased that this play has touched so many people, and glad that we can reach a larger audience."

"Naturally, all of us here at Berkeley Rep are extremely proud," Taccone remarked. "It has been quite a year – with the Broadway run of Passing Strange, successful tours for Taking Over and Wishful Drinking, the world premiere of Yellowjackets, and the American premiere of TRAGEDY: a tragedy. Now – hot on the heels of Joe Turner, which also found a large and enthusiastic audience – The Arabian Nights will have an opportunity to be seen by many, many more people. It is yet another extraordinary production directed by Mary Zimmerman, who has created a loyal and passionate audience in the Bay Area. We are so very pleased to announce this extension."

The new schedule for The Arabian Nights are:
Tuesday 12/2  - Sunday 1/18

Mary Zimmerman made her career by reanimating ancient myths like Argonautika and Metamorphoses… now she breathes new life into the legend of the 1,001 nights. To save her life, a beautiful bride must spin hypnotic tales of genies, jesters, thieves, and kings – winning her freedom by eventually winning her husband's heart. He falls under Scheherazade's spell, and Zimmerman enchants the audience as well with her signature style that transforms simplicity into the sublime. Amidst a thousand tales of honor, revenge, and humor, only love emerges victorious. A co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre, The Arabian Nights will travel to Missouri and to Chicago's Lookingglass Theatre Company in 2009.

This is Zimmerman's sixth trip to Berkeley Rep, and for the first time she works her magic on the intimate Thrust Stage. As usual, Zimmerman has assembled a diverse cast to bring her tale to life: Alana Arenas, Barzin Akhavan, Ryan Artzberger, Ari Brand, Noshir Dalal, Allen Gilmore, Sofia Jean Gomez, Melina Kalomas, Ramiz Monsef, Jesse J. Perez, Nicole Shalhoub, Louis Tucci, Pranidhi Varshney, Stacey Yen, and Evan Zes. She has also recruited a team of talented designers to help her create this intricate mosaic: Daniel Ostling (sets), Mara Blumenfeld (costumes), TJ Gerckens (lights), and Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman (sound). The executive producers of this play are Betty and Jack Schafer and Jean and Michael Strunsky. The production sponsor is the Ira and Leonore Gershwin Philanthropic Fund, with co-sponsorship from Wealth Management at The Mechanics Bank. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.

Tickets to The Arabian Nights start at $33 – or only $16.50 for anyone under 30 years of age. Berkeley Rep is located at 2025 Addison Street, near bus lines, bike routes, and parking lots, and only half a block from BART. To purchase seats, call 510.647.2949 or 888-4-BRT-Tix (toll-free) – or just click berkeleyrep.org.

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