Published: October 29, 2009 08:58 pm      

Westville to present 'Arabian Nights'

DANVILLE — Mystery, death threats and infidelity mixed with a little humor come together in a musical next week by Westville High School students.

A cast of 12 will perform “Arabian Nights,” a musical based on the classic, “1001 Arabian Nights.”

The story follows King Sharhryar, whose first wife betrays him with an affair. He vows to marry a new maiden every day and execute each of them the following morning.

One wife, Sheherazade, learns to bide her time when she marries Sharhryar. She attempts to escape execution by telling him fantastic stories that never end by the time she is to be killed. Sheherazade is allowed to live just one more day so she can finish telling him her stories.

The two lead actors who play the characters say they’re having a blast telling the story.

Nathan Neal, a junior and Priyanka Bhakta say the show is worth a look.

“It’s worth watching,” Bhakta said.

The two say that the family-friendly production has plenty to offer.

“It goes from drama to comedy and back again,” Neal said.

Teresa Ross, the play’s director, has worked with the school’s drama department for the last two years. She’s re-introduced musicals to the program. Most of the shows had been plays before she began working with the program. Other recent productions under her tutelage included “Cinderella” and “Nottingham.”

This particular musical gives students the opportunity to challenge themselves in another way: the ensemble cast members play multiple characters, Ross said.

Students learn much more than drama when they take part in theater, she explained.

They’re learning to deal with responsibility and coordination of many activities that include sports and after-school job commitments. Performing on stage also enhances their speaking skills and builds their confidence in front of crowds, she said.

Audience members will hear music they haven’t heard before in “Arabian Nights.”

The show was purchased from a playhouse in Great Britain. The musical is Adam Ford’s adaptation of “1001 Arabian Nights.” The newer musical was originally performed by the Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre in Guildford, England in 2005.

The audience will see classic tales “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” “The Fisherman and the Genie,” “The Little Beggar” and others.

IF YOU GO

The Westville High School Theater Arts Department will perform the musical “Arabian Nights” at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 8 at the high school. Advance tickets are $4 for students and senior citizens and $5 for adults. Tickets will be $1 more at the door.