This is the Philly premiere of the family drama, which is also set in the City of Brotherly Love. José M. Avilés directs. Opening night is Feb. 25.

The Walnut production marks the first time Hudes' work has been produced in her hometown (she is a native of West Philadelphia). Her plays include Yemaya's Belly, Water by the Spoonful, 26 Miles, Barrio Grrrl! and the book for the Tony Award-winning In the Heights, which garnered Tony and Pulitzer nominations for Hudes herself, and the HOLA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Playwriting. She's adapting In the Heights for film.

*

"At the age of 18," according to production notes, "Philadelphian Elliot Ortiz (Ephraim López) joined the Marines and was shipped off to Iraq. By the age of 19, he received the Purple Heart. On leave to recover from his wounds, Elliot returns a hero to the city of Brotherly Love. As Elliot comes to terms with his own memories of war, the military experiences of his father and grandfather come to light, proving that history often repeats itself in interesting ways.

"As Elliot's tale moves back in time, the stories of his father (Nick Anselmo), mother (Joanna Carden) and grandfather (Edward Furs) move forward until past and present collide, creating a connection of love, beauty and rebirth from the destructive nature of war. Melding poetic dreamscape with stream-of-consciousness narrative, Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue explores the unspoken connections across time and generations." Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue premiered in 2006 at The Culture Project in NYC and was a finalist for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize.

The cast of Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue includes Ephraim Lopez (Elliot), Nick Anselmo (Pop), Johanna Carden (Ginny) and Edward Furs (Grandpop).

The creative team includes scenic designer Andrew Thompson, costume designer Mary Folino, lighting designer Shelley Hicklin and sound designer Mark Valenzuela.

For more information, visit WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.