World premiere play spotlights US Assyrian diaspora community

Martin Yousif Zebari's play Layalina was inspired, in part, by the author's relationship with his siblings [Yasmeen Altaji/Al Jazeera]

Chicago, Illinois – Something was different about the Goodman Theatre last week.

Maybe it was the drink menu, which boasted cocktails made of arak, a traditional West Asian liquor. Or maybe it was the set rising from the stage, depicting a well-to-do Baghdad home, centred around an intricate red-and-gold sofa.