‘Arabian Nights’

Circle Players takes on this adaptation by Mary Zimmerman.

By: Stuart Duncan
   Community theaters select their shows in various ways. Some have a committee that picks an appropriate season and then looks around for directors who might agree to work on the selections. Some draw up a list of directors and then let them pick a show they would be interested in staging. Others use variations of these processes.
   At Circle Theatre in Piscataway, Jon Heron knew he wanted to direct a work by playwright Mary Zimmerman. He admires her choice of subject matter, is excited by "the way she looks at things," and understands that she believes in the power of myth to transform. Metamorphosis, Zimmerman’s newest, was beyond the capabilities of the small theater group. And The Secret in the Wings had been produced by McCarter Theatre. But he found Arabian Nights and thought it perfect for the group — tremendously challenging, but with subject matter that might be familiar to audiences.
   The script is adapted from The Book of One Thousand Nights and One Nights. But it was very hard work. Multiple roles were assigned to the cast of 10, which includes Victoria Crispe as a belly dancer (not too tricky, since in real life that is what she does). But many of the elements of storybook theater had to be mastered, and the show bounces from howlingly funny to thoughtful, even profound.
   You remember the setup: The cruel vizir, Shahryar (played by Shaka Malik), demands a virgin girl for his enjoyment each night, and in the morning he slays her to prepare for yet another. Not surprisingly, he is running out of virgins in his land. And just at that point, the daughters of Abu al Hasan are picked — Scheherazade, the elder, and Dunyazade, her younger sister. He will satisfy himself with one, then the other. Papa, of course, is expected to appear each morning with a shroud.
   But Scheherazade has a few stories she thinks just might amuse the cruel vizir and indeed they do, enough to earn her a reprieve night after night. Playwright Zimmerman does not use the expected tales — Aladdin and the 40 Thieves, or some of the others that are well known. Instead she uses a few of the less familiar stories — a couple screamingly funny, but by Act 2, both Scheherazade and the vizir have grown more thoughtful.
   The cast takes it from there. Christie Leigh Carver, as the older sister, and Val deLeon as her sister, are charming, both blessed with voices that are perfect for storytelling. You will find your favorites among the extremely talented company. Art Hickey is the ruler of the country, as well as the anguished father of the girls. Lynn Langone kicks off the evening in grand style. Pete Cooper is an extraordinary actor, with plentiful accents to accompany his changes of roles. Nick Guarino is an excellent court jester, among other roles. Amy Levine plays the jester’s wife and myriad other parts. Tom Juarez practically steals the evening, and I particularly enjoyed his pastry cook personality.
   Oops — I seem to have mentioned all 10 — well, let it be. You go ahead and see if you can do better. Arabian Nights is a real winner, and director Jon Heron is something of a miracle-worker.
Arabian Nights continues at Circle Playhouse, 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway,
through Nov. 19. Performances: Fri-Sat. 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12-$15, $11-$14 seniors/students.
For information, call (732) 968-7555. On the Web: www.circleplayers.com