COMING SOON: Editorial commentary on Gilgamesh: The Opera world premiere presented by the Assyrian Arts Institute at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts will be added in the near future. For now, this entry documents my attendance (3/28/2026) and basic information.
Full Cast & Context
The cast included:
- Laurence Varda: Aged Gilgamesh (Demigod King of Uruk)
- Ahmad Joudeh: Young Gilgamesh (Demigod King of Uruk)
- Vitor Luiz: Enkidu (Progeny of Ishtar; Companion of Gilgamesh)
- Ashtar Ashurseen: Shamhat (Handmaiden of Ishtar; Guide to Enkidu)
- Amine Hachem: Apsu (God of Fresh Water)
- Melanie Ashkar: Tiamat (Goddess of Salt Water)
- Eric Cornwell: Anu (God of Sky and Heavens; Father of the Gods)
- Orson Van Gay II: Enlil (God of Storms; Despises Humankind)
- Philip Meyer: Ea (God of Wisdom; Loves Humankind)
- Christian Abbo: Sîn (God of the Moon)
- Jacob Stucki: Shamash (Sun God; Champion of Gilgamesh)
- Anne Elise Teeling: Ishtar (Goddess of Love and War; Patroness of Uruk)
- Shannon Delijani: Ninsun (Mother of Gilgamesh; Goddess of Beasts)
- Joanna Lyn Jacobs: Ereshkigal (Queen of Ersatim, the Underworld)
- Christine Oh: Shiduri (Clairvoyant Goddess of Ale)
- Michael O’Halloran: Humbaba (Guardian of the Cedar Forest) / Utnapishtim (Survivor of the Great Flood)
The dance ensemble was:
- Evi Anderson
- Olivia Bell
- Sadie Black
- Clara Bond
- Ailie Fleming
- Hailey Green
- Johnathon Hart
- Samantha Minjares
- Ricky Palomino
- Bogdan Shcherbakov
- Gian Carlo Vargas
- Trenton Williams
- Nick Young
Supernumeraries:
- Khouchaba Youkhanna: Honored Assyrian Dance Leader
- Tara Benjamin
- Zackary Daneilo Hormozi
- Leah Sayad
The creative team included:
- Derrick Skye: Composer
- Diana Farrell: Libretto & Artistic Director
- María Fátima Corona del Toro: Principal Conductor
- Nora Betyousef Lacey: Executive Producer
- Dr. Eve Georges Sada: Dramaturg & Ethnomusicologist
- Stephen Martin Allan: Principal Choreographer
- Ashtar Ashurseen: Director of Cultural Dance Integration
- Xaman Nivon: Orchestra Manager (Bridge to Everywhere)
- Kristin Serena: Technical Director, Scenic & Lighting Design, Stage Manager
- Greg Mitchel: Projection Designer
- Ian Smith: Sound Design
- Joy Omiesh: Costume Designer
- Matthew Svoboda: Production Manager, Master Carpenter
- Katie Handley: Assistant Stage Manager
- Emma Imes: Assistant Stage Manager
- Leah Rose Sayad: Assistant Director
- Asieh Mahyar: Assistant Conductor
- Siddharth Chattoraj: Assistant Projection Designer
- Gabrielle McMillan: Props Master
- Dr. Zack Cherry: Language Consultant (Akkadian Poetic Translation)
- Madeline Barrett: Engraver & Copyist
- Steve McQuown: Digital Strategy (SMQ Consulting)
