Tales of the Arabian Nights

Step into a world of enchantment and intrigue in Tales of the Arabian Nights, where Scheherazade weaves spellbinding stories to stave off her fate. From daring heroes and heroines to cunning tricksters, her tales transport you to a realm of magical objects, astonishing transformations, and genies who grant wishes—or wreak havoc. As each story unfolds, the lines between reality and fantasy blur, captivating not only the sultan but the audience as well. Will Scheherazade’s storytelling save her life, or will the dawn bring an unhappy end to her thousand and one nights? Here ancient and enduring tales become magic carpets all their own, carrying messages that exalt life and celebrate the power and joy of story itself! 

Regular price $12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Length: 45-60 minutes
  • Availability: Available for productions worldwide
  • Cast Size: Originally performed with a cast of 4 (plus live musician) but easily expandable for a large cast

Full Details

Character Breakdown from original production however, roles can be divided however works for your unique cast size:

ACTRESS 1

  • FRAME TALE – Sheherazade
  • THE THREE GIFTS – Youhenna (puppet) / Nouronnihar
  • PRINCE AHMED & PARI-BANOU – Sorceress
  • A DROP OF HONEY – n/a
  • ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES – Kassim (puppet) / Old Woman / Jar Thieves (puppets)
  • THE DEAD AWAKENED – Zubeideh

ACTRESS 2

  • FRAME TALE – Sultan’s Wife / Dunyazade
  • THE THREE GIFTS – Houssain (puppet)
  • PRINCE AHMED & PARI-BANOU – Pari-Banou / Houssain (puppet) / Schaibar
  • A DROP OF HONEY – Houssain (puppet)
  • ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES – Morgiana
  • THE DEAD AWAKENED – Nuzhat-el-Fuad

ACTOR 3

  • FRAME TALE – Sultan Shehriyar
  • THE THREE GIFTS – Caliph of the Indies / the Crier
  • PRINCE AHMED & PARI-BANOU – Caliph of the Indies / Genie 2
  • A DROP OF HONEY - Fisherman
  • ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES – Ali Baba
  • THE DEAD AWAKENED – Abou Hassan

ACTOR 4

  • FRAME TALE – Grand Vizier / Genie 1
  • THE THREE GIFTS - Ahmed
  • PRINCE AHMED & PARI-BANOU - Ahmed
  • A DROP OF HONEY - Hunter
  • ALI BABA & THE FORTY THIEVES – Thief Chief
  • THE DEAD AWAKENED – Haroun al-Raschid

There is also a MUSICIAN who underscores and provides sound effects throughout each tale.

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Barry Kornhauser

Barry Kornhauser's theatre honors include the Children's Theatre Foundation of America's Orlin Corey Medallion, the American Alliance for Theatre & Education (AATE) Charlotte Chorpenning Cup, Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Play (Cyrano), Ivey Playwriting Award (Reeling), Bonderman Playwriting Prize (Worlds Apart), South Africa National Theatre Festival’s Fringe Ovation Award (Balloonacy), and three AATE Distinguished Play Awards (- This Is Not A Pipe DreamBalloonacy, Corduroy). Closer to home, Barry was named Artist of the Year at the 2017 Pennsylvania Governor's Awards, and his youth theatre program for teens living with disabilities and other life challenges was honored at the White House as one of the nation's top arts-education initiatives. Barry's plays have been commissioned and produced by such Tony Award-winning stages as the Children's Theatre Company, La Jolla Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Denver Center Theatre Company, and the Shakespeare Theatre, as well as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Other venues include Childsplay, Children's Theatre of Charlotte, Dallas Children's Theatre, Discovery Theatre at the Smithsonian, Emerald City, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, the Rose, and Seattle Children's Theatre; festivals from New York to California -including New Visions/New Voices (Power Play); and internationally as far afield as Australia and Myanmar, and including at the National Children’s Theatre of South Africa. Over the years, Barry has conducted theatre residencies everywhere from a one-room Amish schoolhouse to universities across the county. He has received grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, TYA/USA, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour. Currently, Barry works for the Millersville University Office of Visual & Performing Arts. Prior to this, he served over 30 years as Playwright-In-Residence, TYA Director, and sundry other positions at the National Historic Landmark Fulton Theatre.

Originally commissioned and produced b Fulton Theatre

Reviews

Zany... A toothsome delight... Masterful!

- Intelligencer Journal

Audiences of all ages will be spellbound by the story of Sheherezade, a young woman who must spin tales to calm the great Sultan’s wrath and restore peace to her land. Bringing together colorful costumes, life-like puppetry, and enduring lessons, the play will enchant children and adults alike.

- University of North Carolina Greensboro Newspaper