‘Fallujah’ at the Army National Guard in Long Beach

Former Marine Christian Ellis, left, fixes actor Todd Strange’s vest before rehearsals of the opera “Fallujah,” based on Ellis’ experiences.

Clockwise from top, Zeffin Quinn Hollis, Ani Maldjian, LaMarcus Miller, Jason Switzer and Jonathan Lacayo perform a scene from the opera “Fallujah” at the Army National Guard in Long Beach.

LaMarcus Miller and Suzan Hanson in a scene from “Fallujah.”

Stage director Andreas Mitisek, second from right, prepares to direct a scene for “Fallujah.”

The creative spirits behind the opera “Fallujah” are, from left, stage director Andreas Mitisek, play composer Tobin Stokes, libretto by Heather Raffo and story consultant Christian Ellis.

LaMarcus Miller and Arnold Livingston, left, in “Fallujah.”