Photo Flash: First Look at THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST at Goodman Theatre

Pulitzer Prize- winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes unveils The Happiest Song Plays Last-the latest and last play of her acclaimed "Elliot Trilogy"-at Goodman Theatre, produced in association with Teatro Vista. The Happiest Song Plays Last appears now through May 12 in the Owen Theatre. Opening Night is Monday, April 22. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Hudes, who also authored the Tony Award-nominated musical In the Heights, "combines a lyrical ear with a sophisticated sense of structure to trace the legacy of war through three generations of a Puerto Rican family" (New York Times). Drawing on the cultural heritage of joyful Jíbaro music developed and performed by Grammy Award nominee Nelson González, The Happiest Song Plays Last was commissioned by the Goodman and supported with a prestigious 2009 Joyce Award for Theater.

Edward Torres directs the world-premiere production with an ensemble cast including: Armando Riesco (Water by the Spoonful off Broadway) as Elliot; Sandra Marquez (The Motherfu**er with the Hat at Steppenwolf) as Yaz; Fawzia Mirza (Teddy Ferrara) as Shar; Jaime Tirelli (the independent films 36 Saints and El Cielo Es Azul) as Joaquin; Demetrios Troy (A Christmas Carol) as Ali; and James Harms (The Iceman Cometh) as Lefty. The creative team includes John Boesche (projections), Collete Pollard (set), Christine Pascual (costumes), Jesse Klug (lighting), Ray Nardelli (sound) and Josh Horvath.

Infused with jíbaro music-songs from the rural inhabitants (the Jíbaros) of Puerto Rico that are sung at the holidays and communal gatherings -The Happiest Song Plays Last follows two kindred souls as they weather life's trials in a search for love and meaning in a quickly changing world. Amid the Arab Spring uprisings raging across the Middle East, Elliot (Armando Riesco), a tormented Iraq War veteran living in Jordan, embarks on an exciting new adventure-as the star of an action film. Meanwhile, half-way across the world, his fiery community-organizer cousin, Yaz (Sandra Marquez) in Philadelphia takes on a heroic role of her own: as the heart and soul of her crumbling community, providing hot meals and a place to sleep for the needy. The Happiest Song Plays Last features live cuarto music-a type of guitar and the national instrument of Puerto Rico.

The Latino Theatre Festival at Goodman Theatre has introduced Chicagoans to prominent Latino theater companies around the globe since its inception in 2003. Under the direction of Resident Artistic Associate Henry Godinez, Latino Fest transforms the Goodman into a hub of international artistic exchange; productions by local, national and international theater artists, plus a variety of events, define the experience. Among the expanding list of international Latino theater companies that have performed at the Goodman since 2003: Compañia Marta Carrasco (Spain); Comediants (Spain); Teatro Buendía (Cuba); Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes (Mexico); and Pia Fraus (Brazil). National artists of note have come to the Goodman from New York (Universes' Blue Sweat; Adrianna Sevan's Taking Flight) and Los Angeles (Luiz Alfaro's The Book of Titus and Other Latino Bible Stories; Culture Clash's AmeriCCa). Local participants have included Aguijón Theater Company, Albany Park Theater Project, Chicago Children's Theatre, Luna Negra, Teatro Luna and Teatro Vista.

Goodman Theatre is a major cultural, educational and economic pillar in Chicago, generating nearly $250 million in economic impact over the past decade in its state-of-the-art two-theater complex on North Dearborn Street. Founded in 1925 and currently under the leadership of Artistic Director Robert Falls and Executive Director Roche Schulfer, Chicago's oldest and largest not-for-profit resident theater has welcomed nearly two million patrons to productions and events-including 10 festivals celebrating playwrights such as David Mamet, August Wilson and Horton Foote, as well as the Latino Theatre Festival-and served legions of students through its Education and Community Engagement programs (including the FREE Student Subscription Series and other interactive programs). The Goodman has earned more than 90 awards for hundreds of productions, including the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined by Lynn Nottage-one of 25 new work Goodman commissions in the last decade. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Ruth Ann M. Gillis is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sherry John is President of Women's Board and Lauren Blair is President of the Scenemakers Board, the Goodman's young professionals auxiliary group.

Tickets ($14 - $45; subject to change) can be purchased at GoodmanTheatre.org, 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn).