IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10-25-04 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITYThe Fall 2004 Western New Mexico University Expressive Arts Drama
Discipline production of The Epic of Gilgamesh will take place at the Fine Arts
Center Theater beginning this week.
This wonderful tale is the first writing in human history with a known author.
Sin Lequis epic telling, predates Homer by a thousand years. The story, discovered
in the 1800s on clay tablets in the ruins of the royal library at Nineveh was
the first confirmation of the biblical story of Noah from an even more ancient
source.
This is the ancient tale of the God-King Gilgamesh, the ruler of the city of Vruk,
the biblical Eresh. The ruins of Vruk are in modern-day Iraq. The homeland of
Gilgamesh was also the birthplace of language, law, and the common ancestor of
Judaism, Islam, and Christianity--Abraham.
The Epic of Gilgamesh explores issues of leadership and responsibility, and
poses questions about love, friendship, and the joy of life and the fear of death.
The Epic of Gilgamesh has gods, goddesses, dancers, musicians, monsters, battles,
a descent into hell as well as into the Abyss--fog, fire, water and special effects
guaranteed to entertain, enlighten, and amaze the audience.
The cast members for this production include Joe Heidrick as Sin Lequi Uninni,
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Robin Scott as Austin Henry Layard, Melvin Gelb as George Smith, Kristen James
as Old Priestess, Analisa Gerstein as The Student, Tim Evans as Gilgamesh, Tom
Wentz as Gilgameshs Page, Trudy Eakle as Ninsun, Layne Catherine Anderson as
Aruru,
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Erika Jayne Christian as Ishtar, Doug Abbott as Enkidu, and Anna Ravensong as
Samhatau.
The dancers and musicians for this show are Anna Ravensong, Beverly Malo, Valerie
Messervy, Arvella Zachary, Yo Kalisher, Greg McLain, and Daniel Gallardo.
The opening Night Benefit for Southwest Outreach for Diabetes (SWORD) is on Friday,
Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction. Admission for the benefit
is $10.
Other performances are on Oct. 30 and Nov. 5-6 at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee performance
on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m.
Admission to performances other than the opening night benefit is a cash donation
to the WNMU Herb McGrath Foundation Drama Fund or by donation of pet food or supplies
for the Grant County Animal Shelter.
For more information, call 538-6502.
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IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10-25-04 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
CAPTION--Pictured are a few of the cast members of the Fall 2004 Theater Discipline
Production of The Epic of Gilgamesh. The play premieres Friday, Oct. 29, at
7:30 p.m. with a benefit event for the Southwest Outreach for Diabetes, there
will also be a silent auction. Other performances are on Oct. 30 and Nov. 5-6
at 7:30 p.m., and a matinee performance on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m.
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(WNMU Photo by Eddie Rodriguez)
