This kaleidoscopic musical reinvention of 'The Arabian Nights' wraps stories within stories, deconstructing and examining narrative, the Middle East, and identity through a 21st-century lens. More…
In mythic Persia, a daring young woman spins tales to save the kingdom and her life. In modern-day New York, a Jewish man and Palestinian woman fight to find love in a fractured world. This world premiere musical, adapted from Jason Grote's '1001,' collides the contemporary and the ancient. Through a genre-bending score, it questions past and present images of the Middle East, exploring the power of story in our everyday lives.
See it if Really great cast, singing, and melodies. Some lyrics are better than others.
Don't see it if The choreography is abominable and completely unnecessary. The story is a bit confusing but in a poetic way.
Also Overall it was enjoyable and a very clever juxtaposition of fantasy an... Read more Read less
See it if If you like a decent musical with some of the plot not being so strong.
Don't see it if If you don't like a musical about the middle east or that kind of genre, or if you like an air tight musical.
See it if You love new, small, off-Broadway musicals by talented, interesting composers.
Don't see it if You think this will be a heavier piece rooted in mythology. It’s more light-hearted and romantic than it seems.
See it if Like an attempt of bringing Scherezade story into today.
Don't see it if Not quite sure what it wants to be.
See it if you're willing to wade through muddied plot strands and talking points to get to some understanding.
Don't see it if you like lyrical music, are expecting the story of a clever Scheherazade, and/or are looking for something light.
Also I completely misread this one, expecting something fun and smart about... Read more Read less
See it if you like opera; Dave Malloy musicals; The Last Five Years; surrealism; post-colonial theory; Borges; OR non-linear narratives.
Don't see it if you're not interested in old stories in new contexts, love, small-budget musicals, or exotic (wonderful) orchestration.
Also Honestly, this was laser-focused to my interests (c'mon, they gave my ... Read more Read less
See it if You like to see some flashes of brilliance
Don't see it if You want a coherent story line (there several mashed together). Different song genres and performance art style dances complete confusion
See it if You really want to support new musicals about the Middle East
Don't see it if You want even a halfway decent show. The musical tries to tell three different stories and connect them, and fails spectacularly at it.
See it if Using the Arabian Nights themes, the show updates the time frame to present day to show how these themes still resonate in today's world.
Don't see it if you need linear stories where it's clear from the outset exactly what's happening , or you don't enjoy giving a new musical style a chance
See it if want to see a well acted well staged show that combines the Arabian nights with a modern love story.
Don't see it if you don't like shows that jump around in time periods or hint at a dystopian future.
See it if You appreciate strong musical performances but are not bothered by a story line with plot holes.
Don't see it if You have high hopes for a production dealing with important themes. They are not handled well.
Also I *loved* what this production was trying to do - drawing parallels be... Read more Read less
See it if you like the music of Marisa Michelson and like "experimental" musical theater.
Don't see it if you want a cohesive plot and script and want to care about the characters. It won't happen.
See it if You like creative staging, storytelling, choreography. Excellent acting, a tight band performing complex music - not all Western tradition
Don't see it if Don’t like nonlinear plots, actors in various roles, need splashy staging and Western traditional musicals, are triggered by 9/11.
See it if you are easily impressed with pretentiousness
Don't see it if you like the show's elements to come together in a coherent way
See it if You enjoy high-concept shows that challenge traditional story-telling
Don't see it if You are looking for something more straightforward and polished. It felt like an early draft and tried to do/tackle too many things at once
See it if brief moments of beautiful theatricality; really interesting ideas
Don't see it if honestly I think this would have been better left alone as a play, music did not do much to serve the show
See it if you love music and great singing, inventive storytelling and moving, creative performances.
Don't see it if you don't like music and singing and are confused by stories that move from one fantasy to another in a different century.
See it if you enjoy experimental musicals.1000 has a strong cast, inventive staging, some good music. The plot, dialogue, and lyrics are much weaker.
Don't see it if you're irritated by wild plots; 1000 is nonsensical. Persia is fun, but replaced by present-day. Pro-Palestinian. Engaging, but frustrating.
Also Another reviewer mentioned being torn by this show. I was, too. I thor... Read more Read less
See it if You like shows that are quirky even if that causes confusion about the plot at times, but overall is a new way at looking at timely topics.
Don't see it if You want a clear straight forward told story.
See it if you want a spirited but schizophrenic musical about storytelling, framed by Arabian Nights & modern events (9/11, Israel-Palestine conflict)
Don't see it if you expect a linear, clear-cut story, a balanced political view, a consistent style of music & movement, or a cogent purpose to it all.
See it if Intriguing & very well sung modern love story in the vein of Scheherazade Smart choreography (in the style of Once) & animated ensemble
Don't see it if Performance frustrated by uneven mash-up of ancient vs modern Politically fraught current love story sadly overwhelms ancient Persian tales
See it if you enjoy opera-like presentations. There is more singing than talking and it is lovely singing with an skilled live band.
Don't see it if you need closure. Many stories are started but not completed. The curtains that slide to change locations sometimes block stage action.