This is the cast list of the Los Angeles production of the show, opened in June, 2004:
CAST (IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE):
HAGAR: NICOLA SEIXAS
ABRAM / ABRAHAM: ROGER MATHEY
EDWARD LAWRENCE: JOHN HIRSCHMANN
URI: MIKHAIL BLOKH
YITSAK HIRSCH: JARROD ACKERLEY
KRISTY SKYLAR: STEPHANIE NORTHRUP
ELLIS HILL, JR. / ELI: ROCKY RUSSO
BITSY HILL: LISE HART
ELLIS HILL, SR.: TIMOTHY FROMM
QUDAMAH: SHARI VESSEGHI
DAWUD: RYAN GANIMIAN
MU’AMMAR: MICHALIS MAKRIS
ZIAD (ADOLESCENT): SARA VARA
ISRAELI SOLDIER: ANDREW HUPP
HANNAH: CORY RICKARD
GIORA: JENNIFER HATZMAN
ZIAD: JUSTIN ZACHARY
SARAH: GRACE NASSAR
TOUR GUIDE BARBIE: KATHERINE DANE
JACKI: MARY ALYSSAN BLAKE
MICHAEL: ANDREW HUPP
SHAHID: STEVIN ESPINOZA
LENA: JULIA FISHER
ISHMAEL (YOUNG): SARA VARA
ISAAC (YOUNG): TRAVIS MEYER
SIMAH: GINA GRAD
NATHANIEL MOORE: JOHN PATRICK WELLS
FAHMI: DAMIAN VONDERHARR
HASSAN: SARA VARA
MARY REYNOLDS: LISE HART
DR. DAGAN: TIMOTHY FROMM
ELIAZER HIRSCH: TRAVIS MEYER
ISAAC (ELDER): ROCKY RUSSO
ISHMAEL (ELDER): STEVIN ESPINOZA
UNDERSTUDIES:
HAGAR / SIMAH: JULIA FISHER
KRISTY SKYLAR: KATHERINE DANE
ELLIS HILL, JR. / ELI / ISAAC (ELDER) / ZIAD: ANDREW HUPP
HANNAH / SIMAH: JENNIFER HATZMAN
GIORA: JENNIFER SKINNER
TOUR GUIDE BARBIE: MARY ALYSSAN BLAKE
JACKI: NICOLA SEIXAS
MICHAEL: ROGER MATHEY
LENA / SIMAH: GRACE NASSAR
Here are the bios of the LA cast:
JARROD ACKERLEY (YITSAK HIRSCH): Jarrod has been performing onstage since the tender age of 13 where he made his debut in the SOYP production of The Time of Your Life. Since then, he has performed in such shows as Trainspotting, The Breakfast Club, Coming Attractions, Men and Supermen, Don’t Drink the Water, Hurlyburly, American Buffalo, Hot N Throbbing, Escurial, A Hatful of Rain, Fun, and Chicks N Dicks. He is also a musician who is currently working on songs for a new CD.
MARY ALYSSAN BLAKE (JACKI / UNDERSTUDY TOUR GUIDE): Mary Alyssan has spent her entire life in theater in one capacity or another. She has worked extensively behind the scenes in every capacity from costumes to props to stage management to directing. This marks her LA stage debut, although she has appeared in numerous productions in her hometown on Bakersfield, CA. A veteran of the first two stagings of Hatikvah in Bakersfield, she is proud to be a part of the Los Angeles premiere.
MIKHAIL BLOKH (URI): Mikhail is originally a Soviet Refugee from Uzbekistan and he grew up around Chicago. A veteran of the Sacred Fools Theatre Company, he was most recently seen in the Fool’s annual production of Naked Holidays. Other Sacred Fools credits include numerous appearances in Crime Scene, Fast ‘N Loose, the original Grimm, and Grimm, Too! at the MET theatre. He is currently seeking representation.
KATHERINE DANE (TOUR GUIDE BARBIE / UNDERSTUDY: KRISTY): Katherine will be reprising her role as the Tour Guide for the LA production of Hatikvah. A native of Bakersfield, she is currently studying theatre at Cal State Fullerton. Some of the productions she has been in include Harvey, The Glass Menagerie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Jill’s Gone all for Bakersfield Community Theater.
STEVIN ESPINOZA (SHAHID / ELDER ISHMAEL): Stevin would like to thank God for yet another chance to do what he loves, the director for inviting him to join this production, the cast for the wonderful time, and the audience for coming to the show… enjoy.
JULIA FISHER (LENA / UNDERSTUDY: HAGAR, SIMAH): Julia recently graduated with a BFA from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute in Connecticut. This is her LA stage debut. She is very honored to be a part of such a beautiful piece of theater and hopes everyone who sees the show will be affected by its message. She would like to thank her family for their incredible support for letting her reach the stars with no boundaries.
RYAN GANIMIAN (DAWUD): Ryan recently relocated from New York is thrilled to be making his LA stage debut. He appeared on off-off B'way in in a number of plays both classical and original works including plays produced by Peculiar Works Project and Drama of Works. He will begin pursuing his Masters in Film Producing at AFI in August. He would like to thank Eugenia for putting up with him.
GINA GRAD (SIMAH): This is Gina’s first production with SOYP. Past notable credits for her include The Bacchae (NYC), Desire, Desire, Desire / Loveliest Afternoon of the Year (Belgium), and Aristophanes’ The Birds (Greece). A recent New York transplant, Gina looks forward to her time on the west coast. She would like to thank her mom and dad – two people who truly know the meaning of “Hatikvah”.
LISE HART (BITSY HILL / MARY REYNOLDS): Some theatre: Fast’n’Loose and Naked Holidays at Sacred Fools, Grimm Too!, Consanguinity, and The Death of Ivan Ilych at The Met, The ClothesMinded Tour for Fringe Benefits Alliance, CloudCuckooLand at The Gascon, Antigone at Theatre Artaud, San Francisco and Cowboy Mouth. Some films: Lift and Words of the Firefly. Peace, art & dark chocolate!
JENNY HATZMAN (GIORA / UNDERSTUDY: HANNAH, SIMAH): Jenny is a Bakersfield actor who is making her LA stage debut with Hatikvah in the role of Giora. She has worked onstage at The Empty Space in such productions as The Sex Cycle, Biloxi Blues, subUrbia, Clerks, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hurry Up, Santa, and Women & Wallace. She has also performed at the Candlelight Dinner Theater as Ilsa in Casablanca.
JOHN HIRSCHMANN (EDWARD LAWRENCE): John is an obsessive actor, filmmaker, writer, visual artist, and electronic music composer. Hatikvah is his fourth play under the insane and masterful direction of Roger Mathey. John has worked in numerous plays and films in his life. He has just returned from two months in Cambodia where he directed a portion of his first indie feature film called "Jackpots and Sacraments". He will complete filming this summer in L.A. Many thanks to Roger and Terri for clinging tightly to their obsessive visions.
ANDREW HUPP (MICHAEL / ISRAELI SOLDIER / UNDERSTUDY: ELLIS JR, ZIAD): A veteran of both Bakersfield productions of Hatikvah, Andrew makes his LA stage debut in the role of Michael. He has been seen on numerous stages in Bakersfield including the Candlelight Dinner Theater (The Ghost of Sherlock Holmes and Guys & Dolls), the Spotlight Theater (Into the Woods and A Few Good Men), Bakersfield College (Insterstellar Zoo and Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?) and the Empty Space (Taming of the Shrew).
MICHALIS MAKRIS (MU’AMMAR): Born and raised in the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, Michalis then lived in the UK, France, Greece, and the US. He is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and is currently studying at the Ivana Chubbuck Studios. Even though his background was in math and business, he followed his passion and became a full-time actor. He has an affinity with foreign languages (Greek, French, and Spanish) and has been a competitive Latin American ballroom dancer (UK University and National Championships).
TRAVIS MEYER (YOUNG ISAAC / ELIAZER HIRSCH): Travis Meyer was born in Northridge but has grown up in Bakersfield Ca. Insisting that he wanted to act, Travis began taking classes locally in 2001. He has continued since 2002 training in LA. Travis has worked as a model, local TV advertisements and voice-overs. This is his stage debut after selection as runner-up Pre-teen Talent of the Year at IMTA in January 04. In his spare time he enjoys computer games, writing, movies and comics.
GRACE NASSAR (SARAH / UNDERSTUDY: LENA, SIMAH): Grace can be seen in the current motion picture Raising Helen as the ‘new receptionist’. She was also fortunate enough to be directed by Garry Marshall again in The Princess Diaries 2 as a Middle Eastern Tea Party Guest. She is studying at the Actor’s Lab and is in a weekly improv comedy show. She loves working with this dedicated and committed cast and crew.
STEPHANIE NORTHRUP (KRISTY): Originally from Atlanta, Stephanie has starred in several independent feature films, including The Duel (an HBO Comedy Arts Winner) and has been seen on television in roles in The Bold and the Beautiful and Days of Our Lives. Her onstage credits include The Last Night of Ballyhoo and Sweet Charity with the Santa Monica Theater Guild, WASP at Theatre Palisades, and Grimm Fairy Tales at the MET Theater. She has also done commercial work for the likes of Disney, Honda, Samuel Adams, and Kaiser Permanente to name a few.
CORY RICKARD (HANNAH ): Cory has studied acting for ten years. She is senior at California State University where she will receive a BA in Art History. She recently helped found a free theater called The Empty Space in Bakersfield in an attempt to bring theater to her community. Her next performance will be Mercutio in the Kern Shakespeare Festival next fall.
ROCKY RUSSO (ELLIS JR / ELDER ISAAC): Rocky recently relocated to Los Angeles from Chicago, where he performed extensively and was last seen in Journey's End with Seanachai and The Cider House Rules with Famous Door, the two productions that dominated the 2003 Joseph Jefferson Equity Awards. He also improvised at Improv Olympic and The Second City, and continues tomake it up at IO West. Much love to Sweet Mud, 207, JT, LE, MR, DW, JK, my family, and all others keeping him sane in this foreign land. Go Cubs!
NICOLA SEIXAS (HAGAR): Nicola is accomplished actor who has appeared in such television shows as Strong Medicine and Days of Our Lives and on stage in such notable plays as Hurlyburly, Three Sisters, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Beirut. She has also had several lead roles in many independent films which have circulated the festival circuit.
JENNIFER SKINNER (LIGHTING DESIGNER / UNDERSTUDY: GIORA): This is Jennifer’s first show on an LA stage and she is very excited to be a part of this production. She is currently attending USC where she is getting her degree in Theatre. She would like to thank Roger for giving her this opportunity, her family for their support, her grandparents for letting her live in their spare bedroom, and her boyfriend Chad for being patient with “I can’t, I have rehearsal…”
SARAH VARA (YOUNG ISHMAEL / HASSAN): Sarah is a former LA resident who now resides in Bakersfield. She is very excited about doing her first show in the wonderful city she considers home. She has been involved in theater for four years and has grown with every experience she has had. She would like to thank Roger for his patience and trust and her friends who continue to support her through each new artistic venture. Above all, she would like to thank Hal who has given her so much confidence, unforgettable opportunities, and has helped her to discover her place on stage.
SHERI VESSEGHI (QUDAMAH): Shari is no stranger to theatre. For the past five years, she has been heavily involved in stand up comedy, including performances at the Pasadena Ice House and a USO Tour of Japan and Korea. This is her first production with seat of your pants Productions. She is very proud to be a part of such a wonderful cast and show.
DAMIAN VONDERHARR (FAHMI): Damian will be reprising his role of Fahmi from the Bakersfield productions for his LA stage debut. A veteran of several theaters in Bakersfield, he has been seen at Bakersfield Community Theater in such shows as Love, Sex, and the IRS, The Grapes of Wrath, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Arsenic and Old Lace and at the Spotlight Theater in such shows as A Few Good Men.
JOHN PATRICK WELLS (NATHANIEL MOORE): John has been working on stage for a little over two years now and has enjoyed every experience. An accomplished artist whose works have been displayed in a number of galleries, he also teaches art to elementary age children. A film he served as art director on made it to the Sundance Film Festival in 2002. He was last seen onstage at Theatre/Theater in the seat of your pants Production of The House of Yes.
JUSTIN ZACHARY (ZIAD): Justin in a Bakersfield native who has been living in LA for the past few years, making a go of it as an actor. He has appeared in several movies including the hit comedy Haunted Mansion and the Sundance selected Harry and Max. He played Mark Renton in soyp’s LA production of Trainspotting which garnered him numerous actor nominations and voted Best New Discovery for 2002 by Entertainment Today Magazine.
Below is a listing for the cast members that appeared in the plays in Bakersfield in 2003, including actors from both the Summer and Fall stagings.
ABRAM / ABRAHAM: HEATH MULLER (both)
HAGAR: JACLYN BENNETT (both)
EDWARD LAWRENCE: IVAN GOERTZEN (both)
YITSAK HIRSCH (young): JARROD ACKERLEY (both)
URI: PHILL KOPP (both)
KRISTY SKYLAR: CHELSEA ZENT-FRIEDMAN (both)
ELLIS HILL, JR. / ELI: ANDREW HUPP (both)
BITSY HILL: CHERIE BLOOMQUIST (Summer)
BITSY HILL: KYM VAN HORNE (November)
ELLIS HILL, SR.: TIM FROMM (both)
DAWUD: DAMIAN VONDERHARR (summer)
DAWUD: GREG RAMSDALL (November)
QUDAMAH: CHERIE BLOOMQUIST (both)
ISRAELI SOLDIER ONE: CHRIS SCHOENFELDER (both)
GIORA: JENNIFER SKINNER (summer)
GIORA: SCARLETT ASHLEY (November)
HANNAH (young): CORY RICKARD (both)
TOUR GUIDE: KATHERINE DANE (both)
TOURIST ONE: CHRIS SCHOENFELDER (both)
TOURIST TWO: MARY ALYSSAN BLAKE (both)
SHAHID: JOSE LUIS HERNANDEZ (both)
LENA: MONIQUE GOMEZ (November)
ZIAD (elder): LEE ALTMAR (both)
ZIAD (young): JASON GONZALES (summer)
ZIAD (young): JOHN PATRICK WELLS (November)
SARAH: ELISABETH LEPINE (November)
LAHAT: LACEY A. MAPLES (both)
FAHMI: DAMIAN VONDERHARR (both)
LAHAT’S SON: JONATHAN PADILLA (summer)
LAHAT'S SON: JOSHUA COEN (November)
ISAAC (young): RYANNE HOWARD (summer)
ISAAC (young): AMELIA EGLAND (November)
ISHMAEL (young): JONATHAN PADILLA (summer)
ISHMAEL (young): JOSHUA COEN (November)
NATHANIEL MOORE: RIKK CHESHIRE (both)
BASH: JASON GONZALES (summer)
TIFFANY: LACEY A. MAPLES (summer)
MU’AMMAR: TIM FROMM (summer)
MU'AMMAR: RICHARD BRIGGS (November)
OSKAR: ANDREW McCARTY (both)
ARAB BODYGUARD: DAMIAN VONDERHARR (both)
ELIAZER HIRSCH: RYANNE HOWARD (summer)
ELIAZER HIRSCH: SUSANNAH WARD (November)
HANNAH (elder): GAYE SMITH (both)
ISRAELI SOLDIER TWO: JASON GONZALES (summer)
DR. SIDRA DAGAN: JULIA STANSBURY (both)
YITSAK HIRSCH (elder): BRUCE COEN (both)
ISAAC (elder): ANDREW HUPP (both)
ISHMAEL (elder): JOSE LUIS HERNANDEZ (both)