Not surprisingly, Jon Robin Baitz, writer of Other Desert Cities at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse Theater, is also the creator of television series, "Brothers and Sisters." Like another Baitz play, The Substance of Fire, the show links on to the sensibilities of the American family. With a tight core, dysfunctional situations, and well-defined, smart characters, the Wyeths of Other Desert Cities would be as familiar as your own neighbors if they were not quite so rich, well-connected and witty. Portrayed by a stellar ensemble led by Stockard Channing as Polly Wyeth, retired screenwriter, and Stacy Keach as her husband, Lyman, retired movie actor; the Wasp/Jewish Wyeths display impressive Hollywood credentials and a tragic secret in their closet.
The time is Christmas Eve 2004 and the place is Palm Springs. After an absence of six years, Lyman and Polly's daughter, Brooke (Elizabeth Marvel), once a promising novelist and a hospitalized depressive, has come home for the holidays. Her younger brother, Trip (Thomas Sadowski), producer of a courtroom reality TV show has arrived from Los Angeles. With their aunt, Silda Grauman (Linda Lavin), visiting after her latest rehab, you have a merging of conservative parents, liberal children, socialist aunt, flip-flopping morals, and the lubricating balm of liquor and pot. But you ain't seen nothing yet. Brooke's Christmas gift to this family is the manuscript of her second book that is about to be published. The family reads it and is not happy. With focused direction by Joe Mantello, the shift from light, amusing family reunion to destruction is gradual with the actors smoothly switching gears. Writing about what you know can be risky, and the Wyeths discover that Brooke has not written a novel but a memoir centered around a heartbreaking time in their family's life concerning the loss of the eldest child, Henry. The family is fractured, tries to gain footing and again is rent apart before reaching a damaged reprieve. A coda is added at the end, a shaky finale to a shattering event.
Stocking Channing's Polly is a political Mama Rose, an iron fist in a chic tunic. She once enjoyed a privileged seat in the higher Republican hierarchy and can be a rock of support -- with conditions -- when one of her brood is in trouble. Right now, her sister and former writing partner, Silda, is recuperating in her home from her latest alcohol binge. With whizzing verbal bullets, Channing and Lanin know which sibling buttons to push for efficient collateral damage.
Nevertheless, it is Brooke and Polly who come head to head about the publication of the book and everyone who may be involved. Elizabeth Marvel gets four stars, illuminating Brooke's character with palpable conviction, a survivor just hanging on. As brother, Trip, Sadowski, like the others, has spot-on timing and is less liberal and more accommodating than Brooke, thus handling the family dynamic more easily. Stacy Keach ably controls a range of emotions, including a tender closeness to Brooke.
John Lee Beatty's set design in chill desert tones shows gray stone walls and room furnishings in ecru and taupe. A lighted Christmas tree is meticulously decorated in white, with gold-wrapped presents underneath. David Zin dresses Channing and Keach in stylish Saks resort wear and Lavin in a colorful caftan. Brooke and Trip's drab casual garb sharply makes its statement against Channing's distinctive accessories and styled hair. A smooth production tackling universal questions with all elements in place, Other Desert Cities deserves a move on up to Broadway.
Previews:
December 29, 2010
Opened:
January 13, 2011
Ended:
February 27, 2011
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Lincoln Center Theater
Theater Type:
Off-Broadway
Theater:
Lincoln Center - Mitzi Newhouse Theater
Theater Address:
150 West 65th Street
Website:
lct.org
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Drama
Director:
Joe Mantello
Review:
Cast:
Stockard Channing, Elizabeth Marvel, Stacy Keach, Linda Lavin, Thomas Sadoski
Technical:
Set: John Lee Beatty; Costumes: David Zinn; Lighting: Kenneth Posner; Sound: Jill B C DuBoff; Music: Justin Ellington.
Miscellaneous:
This article was first published at CityCabaret.com.
Critic:
Elizabeth Ahlfors
Date Reviewed:
January 2011
