"Layalina," in its world premiere at Goodman Theatre, is an affectionate, multigenerational drama about a family emigrating from Iraq to the United States. But the overly long, meandering second act needs tweaking for the play to realize its potential.
There’s so much to like about “Layalina,” in both the writing and the production. But where Act One possesses an underlying drive and the capability of surprise, Act Two floats and meanders, mostly presenting the predictable.
"Layalina," a play about Iraqi immigrants, makes its world premiere at Goodman Theatre; Chicago Shakespeare Theater founder Barbara Gaines takes her final bow as artistic director by revisiting "The Comedy of Errors"; and Evanston s Music Theater Works revives "Avenue Q."
Siblings Yoni and Sivan Battat discuss how collaborating on the former's music album became a means of reconnecting with their Iraqi family and heritage, and of disentangling Mizrahiness from Israeliness.