Other Desert Cities- Mark Taper Forum

[TheatreFreak05]

I don't know if anyone still looks on this board (sad) but I just saw Other Desert Cities last night and I wanted to say: if you're in the L.A. area PLEASE go see this wonderful production! There's one more weekend left and I might go see it again. It really is a beautiful play with some amazing performances.

[Jordan Catalano]

A couple people still look at the board.

[AC126748]

Wish I could see it--the cast looks great.

[someone.else's.story2]

Going next week and I can't wait!

[rosscoe(au)]

Saw it last weekend, a great cast. Enjoyed the show very much. About to head out to see Anything Goes.

[someone.else's.story2]

Have fun! I really enjoyed it :)

[TheatreFreak05]

Oh whoops... I thought I put this on the L.A. board haha

[Auggie27]

I have a friend who adored it, and went back a second time. I hear the company is extraordinary, new things found, and that Jeannie Berlin is terrific in the Light part.

[DAME]

I hated it. But other wi me really loved it. However that is what I get for going to a matinee in LA.

[someone.else's.story2]

Is there an LA board? I didn't even know that one existed!?!

[Idiot]

I'm with you Dame. It was bad. Even when picturing Channing and Lavin, I can't help but think that the flaws in the writing were evident in NY as well -- but this misdirected version accentuated the problems with the script.

I'm wondering if anyone but Albee should be allowed to write dysfunctional families anymore.

[chrisampm2]

TheatreFreak, since you said PLEASE, I went to Other Desert Cities. I liked it much until the confession. The actors are fine. A solid production. Thanks for the heads up.

[mallardo]

I liked it too - the second act saved it - although Jeannie Berlin was not on the same level as the other actors. Robin Weigert and Robert Foxworth were the standouts.

[AC126748]

I'm surprised to read so many criticisms of Berlin. On paper, she seems perfect.

[Idiot]

Berlin was just.... odd. Honestly, it kind of works for the character. But since the playwright decided to have her sit at a table for most of the second act with one line, who can blame her?

[nealb1]

I'll be seeing the show on Sunday night, the closing performance. Really looking forward to finally seeing it. In all my many travels to NYC every year, I just never saw it. You try to see everything on a theatre trip, but just can't.

[Kad]

Idiot, the faults of the text were all-too-apparent to me in NY. Even Judith Light couldn't make me turn a blind eye.

[Idiot]

^ The confirmation is appreciated Kad.

[keb2]

I liked Jeannie Berlin, I thought she was quite funny in the role, but it was difficult to understand her at times.

[brettarnett]

Last friday, the 28th. A cell phone went off during Act 1, maybe even two times I don't remember but Robert Foxworth came back on stage to scold the audience about turning your cell phone off. Initially I thought he was going to pull a Lupone as he kept breaking character and angrily staring into the audience. It was at a crucial moment sadly when JoBeth's Character that she will basically never talk or see her daughter if she publishes the book. I had read the play last year and enjoyed it on stage. It took me a while to warm up to Robin Weigert's interpretation of her role as I didn't imagine it as "nerdy" (that's the only way I can think to describe it). But I felt like she kind of over did the crying at the 2nd act reveal as I, nor anyone who was with me could hear what anyone else was saying.

[someone.else's.story2]

I have been excited to see this for so long and I have to admit, I was a bit underwhelmed. I found Weigert rather annoying and never warmed up to her. To me, Foxworth and Weston were the standouts.

I felt it was an okay script, but not the marvel it has been touted as. I kept imagining (and wishing) for Channing. And, I wasn't a hug fan of the direction. Wish I could have seen the original as I may have liked it better. Sorry to be a downer...I really wanted to,love it, but I just didn't.

[My Oh My]

The L.A. board is a ghost town. I didn't know about it until about a year ago but don't even take a look anymore because it's depressing seeing threads created 2 years ago at the top, lol.