The world-premiere production of Pedro Páramo, one of the most culturally-significant magical realism tales of Latin American literature, heads into its final stage of development prior to its March 22-31 limited engagement in Goodman Theatre’s Latino Theatre Festival. Festival curator Henry Godinez recently spent three weeks in rehearsals in Cuba working with Director Flora Lautén and Raquel Carrió on her stage adaptation of Juan Rulfo’s 1955 novel. Music in the production features Chicago’s Grammy-nominated Sones de Mexico. Pedro Páramo runs March 22 – 31, 2013 in the Owen Theatre. Opening night is Saturday, March 23 at 8pm. Tickets ($14 – $32; subject to change) are on sale now and are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/LatinoTheatreFestival, by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 North Dearborn).

“Pedro Páramo is an artistic triumph for the Goodman and Teatro Buendía—an unprecedented partnership that forges an important cultural bond between the U.S. and Cuba,” says Godinez, Goodman Theatre Resident Artistic Associate who appears in the title role of the piece. “We are honored to unveil on American soil this unique theatrical premiere with its blended cast of Cuban and Chicago actors in our 2013 Latino Theatre Fest.”