CHICAGO -- The Theatre School at DePaul University is pleased to present “Arabian Nights” as the inaugural production in the Sondra & Denis Healy Theatre at The Theatre School building, located at Racine and Fullerton on the Lincoln Park Campus.  The Healy Theatre is a 100-seat flexible theatre, located on the fourth floor of The Theatre School.

Its distinguishing feature is the completely transparent north wall overlooking Fullerton Avenue. Dominic Cooke’s adaptation of “Arabian Nights” is directed by Kevin Kingston, as part of The Theatre School’s New Directors Series. It premieres on Friday, Nov. 1 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013. Performances are Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Previews are on Oct. 30 and 31, at 7:30 PM. 

About the production: 16th Century, Baghdad. Each night the hard-hearted King Shahrayar takes a bride, only to execute her the next morning. Shahrazad is sentenced to be next, but there is something special about this lady—she is touched with the enchanting gift of storytelling. Rediscover the beauty and humor of these enduring tales in this adaptation told with physicality, puppetry and a dash of magic. A reimagined classic directed by Kevin Kingston. 

Tickets are $15, Preview tickets are $10 and Student tickets are always $5.  Subscriptions and group rates (6 or more people) are available at (312)-922-1999.  All tickets are reserved seating.  Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (312) 922-1999 or visiting the online Box Office at theatre.depaul.edu.

The Theatre School at DePaul University is located at 2350 N Racine Ave (at Fullerton). The school is easily accessible via the Fullerton CTA Station and the Fullerton (74) Bus.  Call the Box Office for additional transit suggestions or visit the Chicago Transit Authority for specific routes from your location. Visitors and audience members can park in DePaul University’s Clifton Parking Deck, located at 2330 N Clifton Avenue. Please call the Box Office for more information.

Kevin Kingston (Director) is a member of the Class of 2014, and will graduate in June with his MFA in Directing.  His Theatre School credits include “Boom,” “Language of Angels,” “Tartuffe” and “The Turn of the Screw.”  Kevin’s work has also been seen at Westport Country Playhouse, Cleveland Playhouse Square, Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Chicago’s Theatre on the Lake, among others. He earned a BFA from Southern Methodist University and was recipient of the Garland Wright Award, the Edyth Wrenshaw Award and is a member of Griffin Theatre Company.

The cast features Audrey Gladson (Queen/Marjanah/Thief/Merchant/etc.),  Noah Laufer (Slave/Ali Baba/Beggar/Merchant/Foe/King/Sidi 2/Baker/Perviz), Kiandra Layne (Shaharazad/Druggist/Chief of Police/etc.), Erika Miranda (Ali Baba's Wife/Thief/Doctor's Wife/etc.), Brian Rife (Vizier/Captain of Thieves/Doctor/etc.), Frankie Stornaiuolo (Headsman/Baba Mustapha/Thief/Steward/etc.), Wesley Toledo (Jester/Kasim/Ali's Son/Thief/Tailoe/Watchman/etc.), Vahishta Vafadari (Dinarazad/Kasim's Wife/Tailor's Wife/etc.), and Justin Wilson (Shahrayar/Ghoul/King).

The production staff includes Kevin Kingston (Director), Michael David (Scenic Designer), Stephanie Tomey (Costume Designer), Daniel Friedman (Lighting Designer), Jack Hawkins (Sound Designer), Aaryanna Gariss (Dramaturge), and Dana Stringer (Stage Manager).

An Opening Night Reception will be held after the performance on Nov. 1.

Designed by renowned architect César Pelli and his firm Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, The Theatre School is the venue for presenting the school’s contemporary plays and classics, as well as new work.  The Theatre School is proud to continue to present Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences at DePaul’s historic Merle Reskin Theatre in the South Loop. For details, photos, or more information about our new building, please visit theatre.depaul.edu or email Anna Ables, Director of Marketing and PR, at aables@depaul.edu.

The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, and culturally diverse. The school and its students strive for the highest level of professional skill and artistry.  A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to its mission.  As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary, and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination.  The school seeks to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the university community, the city, and the profession. More at http://theatre.depaul.edu.

Media Contacts:

Andrea Tichy
atichy@depaul.edu
(773) 325-7819

Anna Ables
aables@depaul.edu
(773) 325-7938