In the News
Storytelling magic: ABE teams up with Belmont to stage "The Arabian Nights'
by Amy Stumpfl, Nashville City Paper| Storytelling magic: ABE teams up with Belmont to stage ‘The Arabian Nights’ | |
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If you’ve ever wondered just how deeply Nashville’s theater scene is rooted, look no further than the current collaboration between Actor’s Bridge Ensemble and Belmont University’s Department of Theater and Dance, featuring Mary Zimmerman’s critically acclaimed adaptation of The Arabian Nights.
A visual feast of beauty and adventure, the play presents the age-old story of King Shahryar, who — enraged by his queen’s infidelity — vows to marry and then murder a different young woman each night. But then he meets the enchanting Scheherezade, who seduces the king with the art of storytelling. For 1,001 nights, he delays her murder, captivated by magical tales of love, lust, joy and sadness.
“It’s a wonderfully large and lavish piece,” said Bill Feehely, ABE’s founding artistic director and head of Belmont’s acting program.“The Arabian Nights speaks to the power of storytelling, and gives us a glimpse into this very rich culture. Unfortunately, our view of this part of the world has been slanted by current events and Western prejudices. But as we look at these stories and the qualities they reflect, we find our cultures share common intersections.”
The production features original music by Pru Clearwater. And the cast includes a mix of Actors Bridge favorites and Belmont students, which according to Feehely, “brings in new energy while giving students the opportunity to see what’s out there in the professional world.”
Belmont’s theater chair Paul Gatrell, who designed the set for this production, agrees.
“Collaborative efforts such as this give our students practical experience and serve as an extension of Belmont’s mission to reach out to Nashville’s theater community,” he said. “Working with our residential theater companies, including Actor’s Bridge and the Nashville Shakespeare Company, we’re able to grow our program and build a well-rounded center for the arts.”
What: The Arabian Nights
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 28
Where: Belmont University’s Troutt Theater, 2100 Belmont Blvd.
Cost: $15 general admission, $10 students, Belmont students are free
Info: 460-8500, belmont.edu/curbeventcenter/tickets/index.html,
actorsbridge.org
