"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.