Other Desert Cities Celebrates its Opening Night at Arena Stage

Promotional artwork for <i>Other Desert Cities</i>, courtesy of Arena Stage — Promotional artwork for *Other Desert Cities*, courtesy of Arena Stage

Last night, Arena Stage celebrated the opening of Other Desert Cities, a contemporary family drama written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Robin Baitz.

Other Desert Cities ran for 261 performances at Broadway’s Booth Theatre during the 2011-12 season, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Play. The story follows a once promising novelist who comes home for the holidays with a manuscript exploring an explosive chapter in the family’s history. The memoir opens old family wounds and tests childhood memories as the Wyeth clan learns that some secrets cannot stay buried forever.

Directed by Helen Hayes Award winner and former Arena Stage Associate Artistic Director Kyle Donnelly, the cast includes two-time Tony Award nominee Larry Bryggman (Harvey) as Lyman Wyeth, Tony Award nominee Helen Carey (Hedda Gabler) as Polly Wyeth, Emily Donahoe (33 Variations) as Brooke Wyeth, Scott Drummond (A Perfect Future) as Trip Wyeth, and Martha Hackett (The Women) as Silda Grauman.

The creative team features set design by Kate Edmunds, costume design by Nan Cibula-Jenkins, lighting design by Nancy Schertler, and original music and sound design by David Van Tieghem.

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Cast members Helen Carey, Martha Hackett, Emily Donahoe, and Scott Drummond with playwright Jon Robin Baitz (third from left), and artistic director Molly Smith (right) at the opening night celebration for Other Desert Cities at Arena Stage.

(© Jon Harvey)

Scott Drummond and Emily Donahoe snap a picture with Arena Stage board chair David Shiffrin (center).<br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Scott Drummond and Emily Donahoe snap a picture with Arena Stage board chair David Shiffrin (center).
(© Jon Harvey)

Cast member Larry Bryggman with Jon Robin Baitz.<br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Cast member Larry Bryggman with Jon Robin Baitz.
(© Jon Harvey)

Helen Carey (center) smiles alongside board members Larry Franks and Mark Shugoll. <br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Helen Carey (center) smiles alongside board members Larry Franks and Mark Shugoll.
(© Jon Harvey)

Cast members Helen Carey, Martha Hackett, Emily Donahoe and Scott Drummond enjoy the evening together.<br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Helen Carey and playwright Jon Robin Baitz smile for the camera.<br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Artistic Director Molly Smith, board member Mark Shugoll, celebrate opening night with <i>Other Desert Cities</i> playwright Jon Robin Baitz. <br />(© Jon Harvey)”/>
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Artistic Director Molly Smith, board member Mark Shugoll, celebrate opening night with Other Desert Cities playwright Jon Robin Baitz.
(© Jon Harvey)

Other Desert Cities will continue its run at Arena Stage through May 26.

For ticket information, click here.