The play was commissioned by New Theatre with the support of a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts. Nilo Cruz was playwright-in-residence at New Theatre during the 2001-2002 season, and his residency was supported by a grant from Theatre Communications Group, Vivendi Universal, and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Nilo Cruz wrote the play to be premiered at New Theatre during this season (2002-2003). The production will receive additional support from Jay Harris, and from The Manny and Ruthy Cohen Foundation.

ANNA IN THE TROPICS is a play set in Ybor City, (Tampa), Florida in 1930. The romantic drama deals with a family of cigar makers whose loves and lives are played out against the backdrop of America in the midst of the Depression.

(From the New Theatre Web site)