The Happiest Song Plays Last
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The Happiest Song Plays Last

By Quiara Alegría Hudes Directed by Shishir Kurup
July 7 – November 1, 2015

Iraq War vet Elliot Ortiz has a bright new career: movie star. But shooting a film on location in Jordan, with the tumultuous Arab Spring rumbling nearby, he finds that his wartime nightmares have followed him into his new life. Back in Philadelphia, his cousin Yaz has her hands full cooking for the homeless and trying to keep her beloved community from crumbling. This powerful sequel to Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Water by the Spoonful explores the places we live our lives and the places we can’t forget—all set to a joyful pulse of Puerto Rican folk music. There will be the sound of an explosion and e-cigarettes; theatrical mist and strobe lights may be used in this production.
Suitability Suggestions

This powerful sequel to Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Water by the Spoonful explores the places we live our lives and the places we can’t forget. The Happiest Song Plays Last contains frequent strong profanity and deals with themes of PTSD and stories of the horrors of war. Mature high school students will find it both moving and thought provoking.

Trailer: The Happiest Song Plays Last

Creative Team

Cast

* Member of Actors' Equity Association (AEA)
**AEA Professional Theatre Intern

OSF thanks our show sponsors

  • PRODUCTION SPONSORS
  • Brad and Louise Edgerton
  • The Robert and Star Pepper Foundation
  • PRODUCTION PARTNER
  • Ted Wobber and Linda M. DeMelis

Our 2015 Season