Other Desert Cities — Nominee for Best Play

Opened:
November 3, 2011

Author:
Jon Robin Baitz

The Story:
Other Desert Cities centers on a contentious Christmas with the Wyeths of Palm Springs. Adult daughter Brooke, a once promising novelist, returns home with the text of a memoir that threatens to reveal family secrets her parents would rather keep private. Also in the mix are Brooke’s alcoholic aunt and hippie-ish TV producer brother.

Based On:
Baitz frequently writes plays that feature strong-willed matriarchs, set in his native California. The character Brooke lives in Sag Harbor, NY, where Baitz has a country home.

Show History:
Other Desert Cities premiered off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre on January 13, 2011, starring Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach, Linda Lavin, Elizabeth Marvel and Thomas Sadoski. The play re-opened on Broadway in the fall of 2011 with Judith Light replacing Lavin and Rachel Griffiths replacing Marvel.

Producers:
Lincoln Center Theater (Andre Bishop, Bernard Gersten), Bob Boyett

Other Honors:
—2011 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Play
—Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Production of a Play
—2011 Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play
—2011 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Play

Fun Fact:
Although Baitz has had 10 plays produced off-Broadway since 1988, Other Desert Cities marks his Broadway debut.