The Thousand and One Nights

ألف ليلة وليلة (The Thousand and One Nights) is coming to La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club from February 19 to March 1, 2026!

Many years ago, a story was stolen from the land of the people who named the stars. This production reclaims that tale as a call to action. A bitter king, consumed by vengeance, marries a new bride each night only to have her executed at dawn – until the brilliant and courageous Scheherazade steps forward. For a thousand and one nights, she weaves a tapestry of tales, each granting her another dawn.

Through Hakawati oral tradition, poetry, puppetry, and music, this adaptation of the classic tales confronts the impact of colonialism while celebrating the resilience of Indigenous communities worldwide. Bringing together an ensemble from across the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, the Americas, and beyond, it weaves a global storytelling tapestry that blends folklore with contemporary narratives.

For more about the production, including early coverage, take a look at our 1001 Nights Trailer Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch/pVJNmPlyx8M

Event Details:

• Preview Performance: February 19, 2026

• Run: February 20 – March 1, 2026; Talkback on February 22, 2026

• Location: La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club, 66 E 4th St, New York, NY 10003

• Press Kit

• Press Release

• More Resources 

• Tickets

Creative Team:

• Written & Directed by Ghina Fawaz

• Dramaturgy by Begüm “Begsy” Inal

• Ensemble includes artists from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Türkiye, Iran, India, Ethiopia, Peru, Serbia, UAE, China, Vietnam, Bahrain, and the United States