The Arabian Nights

The Arabian Nights by Gay Monteverde

(4)
Productions (36)
Folktales with music
|
90 - 100 minutes
4 W, 9 M, 1 Any (14-30 actors possible: 4-10 W, 10-20 M)
Set: Unit set.

Betrayed by his first wife, King Shahrayar vows to re-marry and put to death a new wife each day. Shahrazad, the daughter of the King's adviser, volunteers to wed the King with the hope that she can heal his heart and spare her countrywomen. To forestall her execution, she tells him a story each evening, leaving the ending untold so he will keep her alive another day. What happens when she runs out of stories? The fate of a kingdom will be determined by these delightful re-imaginings of ancient folktales about love, loyalty, and courage.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

Betrayed by his first wife, King Shahrayar vows to re-marry and put to death a new wife each day. Shahrazad, the daughter of the King's adviser, volunteers to wed the King with the hope that she can heal his heart and spare her countrywomen. To forestall her execution, she tells him a story each evening, leaving the ending untold so he will keep her alive another day. What happens when she runs out of stories? The fate of a kingdom will be determined by these delightful re-imaginings of ancient folktales about love, loyalty, and courage.

  • Folktales with music
  • |
  • 90 - 100 minutes
  • 4 W, 9 M, 1 Any (14-30 actors possible: 4-10 W, 10-20 M)
  • Set: Unit set.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-485-1

Published Reviews

"...an entertaining and thoughtful adventure."

The Oregonian

"...fills the stage with magic carpets, jinnis and Ali Baba."

Willamette Week (Oregon)

"Delightful British pantomime-style play..."

Portland Tribune

Production History

APR 11, 2024 - APR 13, 2024
Wheatland High School
Wheatland, WY United States
Wheatland High School Wheatland, WY United States
APR 08, 2022 - APR 09, 2022
Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School
Macon, GA United States
Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School Macon, GA United States
DEC 14, 2019 - DEC 15, 2019
Theatrical Society
Pardeeville, WI United States
Theatrical Society Pardeeville, WI United States
DEC 05, 2019 - DEC 15, 2019
Washington High School
Fremont, CA United States
Washington High School Fremont, CA United States
AUG 16, 2019 - AUG 25, 2019
The Colonnade
Ringgold, GA United States
The Colonnade Ringgold, GA United States
MAY 30, 2019 - JUN 01, 2019
Homeschool Theatre Guild
Rochester, NH United States
Homeschool Theatre Guild Rochester, NH United States
MAY 10, 2019 - MAY 11, 2019
ACTS Homeschool Drama
Tacoma, WA United States
ACTS Homeschool Drama Tacoma, WA United States
APR 23, 2019 - APR 25, 2019
Sacred Heart School For The Arts
Louisville, KY United States
Sacred Heart School For The Arts Louisville, KY United States
NOV 17, 2017 - NOV 19, 2017
Waverly High School
Wavelry, NE United States
Waverly High School Wavelry, NE United States
APR 27, 2017 - APR 29, 2017
The Sacred Heart School Of Montreal
Montreal, QC Canada
The Sacred Heart School Of Montreal Montreal, QC Canada
MAR 09, 2017 - MAR 10, 2017
Fleming Island High School
Fleming Island, FL United States
Fleming Island High School Fleming Island, FL United States
NOV 18, 2016 - NOV 19, 2016
Sutton's Bay Schools
Suttons Bay, MI United States
Sutton's Bay Schools Suttons Bay, MI United States
APR 20, 2016 - APR 22, 2016
North High School
Phoenix, AZ United States
North High School Phoenix, AZ United States
OCT 29, 2015 - OCT 31, 2015
Prairie High School
Cedar Rapids, IA United States
Prairie High School Cedar Rapids, IA United States
APR 24, 2015 - APR 24, 2015
Duchesne Academy Of The Sacred Heart
Houston, TX United States
Duchesne Academy Of The Sacred Heart Houston, TX United States
MAR 12, 2015 - MAR 15, 2015
Beaumont School
Cleveland Heights, OH United States
Beaumont School Cleveland Heights, OH United States
NOV 19, 2014 - NOV 22, 2014
Dunmore High School
Dunmore, PA United States
Dunmore High School Dunmore, PA United States
NOV 06, 2014 - NOV 15, 2014
Auburn Riverside High School
Auburn, WA United States
Auburn Riverside High School Auburn, WA United States
NOV 06, 2014 - NOV 15, 2014
Auburn Riverside High School
Auburn, WA United States
Auburn Riverside High School Auburn, WA United States
SEP 05, 2014 - SEP 20, 2014
Liberty High School Playmakers
Brentwood, CA United States
Liberty High School Playmakers Brentwood, CA United States
MAR 01, 2014 - MAR 01, 2014
Marshfield High School Drama Club
Marshfield, MA United States
Marshfield High School Drama Club Marshfield, MA United States
JAN 25, 2014 - JAN 25, 2014
Crocker Middle School
Hillsborough, CA United States
Crocker Middle School Hillsborough, CA United States
OCT 26, 2013 - NOV 03, 2013
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA United States
Shenandoah University Winchester, VA United States
AUG 29, 2013 - AUG 31, 2013
International House
Melbourne, VIC Australia
International House Melbourne, VIC Australia
MAY 09, 2013 - MAY 11, 2013
Delton Kellogg Theatre Arts Company
Delton, MI United States
Delton Kellogg Theatre Arts Company Delton, MI United States
MAY 02, 2013 - MAY 03, 2013
Bethel High School Drama Dept
Hampton, VA United States
Bethel High School Drama Dept Hampton, VA United States
APR 09, 2013 - APR 10, 2013
Waterville Jr. High School
Waterville, ME United States
Waterville Jr. High School Waterville, ME United States
NOV 01, 2012 - NOV 13, 2012
Regional Competition/Lakota High School
Lakota, ND United States
Regional Competition/Lakota High School Lakota, ND United States
AUG 23, 2012 - AUG 24, 2012
Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble
Launceston, TAS Australia
Launceston Youth Theatre Ensemble Launceston, TAS Australia
MAY 31, 2012 - JUN 02, 2012
Holy Family Drama Club
Sharonville, OH United States
Holy Family Drama Club Sharonville, OH United States
MAR 07, 2012 - MAR 09, 2012
Ransom Everglades Middle School
Miami, FL United States
Ransom Everglades Middle School Miami, FL United States
NOV 18, 2011 - NOV 20, 2011
Blue Mountain High School
Schuylkill Haven, PA United States
Blue Mountain High School Schuylkill Haven, PA United States
OCT 28, 2011 - NOV 05, 2011
Monta Vista Theatre Arts
Cupertino, CA United States
Monta Vista Theatre Arts Cupertino, CA United States
SEP 29, 2011 - OCT 02, 2011
Manvel High School
Manvel, TX United States
Manvel High School Manvel, TX United States
MAR 01, 2007 - MAR 30, 2007
Youth Performing Arts School
Louisville, KY United States
Youth Performing Arts School Louisville, KY United States
OCT 01, 2003 - OCT 30, 2003
Northwest Children's Theater
Portland, OR United States
Northwest Children's Theater Portland, OR United States
APR 11, 2024 - APR 13, 2024
Wheatland High School
Wheatland, WY United States
Wheatland High School Wheatland, WY United States
OCT 01, 2003 - OCT 30, 2003
Northwest Children's Theater
Portland, OR United States
Northwest Children's Theater Portland, OR United States

Awards (1)

Finalist, Oregon Book Award for Drama (2004)