Ghost Light Monday--Arabian Nights at Lookingglass Theater

Lookingglass Theatre is one of the "new generation" of companies in Chicago, not a newbie like in a storefront doing guerrilla theatre when and where they can, but newer than say Steppenwolf or Victory Gardens. Lookingglass was formed (I think in the early 1990s) by an ensemble of performers and directors who mostly were at Northwestern University together. Notable names in the ensemble are director Mary Zimmerman, actor (and now writer/director) David Schwimmer and actor Joey Slotnick.

I've seen three or four Lookingglass productions in recent years, since they moved into a blackbox theater in the pumping station of the Chicago Water Tower. Part of the building still functions to pump water (and is visible when you enter the building), but some unused space was rented (or given) to Lookingglass by the City of Chicago to make into their permanent playing space. Last weekend I went to see a revival of the company's production of The Arabian Nights.

First presented in 1992, this is a production created and directed by Mary Zimmerman from the 1,001 Arabian Nights collection of stories. Simply and creatively staged, using hanging lanterns, kalim rugs, and low wooden tables, the production is beautiful to look at--a trademark of Zimmerman shows. An ensemble cast is on stage for most of the show taking on a variety of roles--another trademark.

I was mostly enchanted by this show which depicts perhaps a dozen tales from the collection, tied together by Sherahazade seeking to preserve her life for one more night. What could have been confusing shifts between individual stories, the through narrative and different characters/same actor were all handled deftly through consistencies in staging, lighting, and costuming. The nature of most of the separate stories lent a lyrical quality to the production, which was only interrupted by an extended improvised section that I thought took away more than it added.

There was quite a bit of music in the show, which was--if not actual Middle Eastern songs, chants and drum rhythms--evocative of the time and place.

The Arabian Nights
Adapted and Directed by Mary Zimmerman
Running at the Lookingglass Theatre Company through July 12, 2009
Cast: Ryan Artzburger, Louise Lamson, Heidi Stillman, Barzin Akhavan, Louis Tucci, Usman Ally, David Catlin