Mantello Helms Baitz's THE OTHER DESERT CITIES at Lincoln Center in '10-'11; Opts out of Bway Run

The New York Times reports today that Jon Robin Baitz's THE OTHER DESERT CITIES, to be directed by Joe Mantello, will be produced at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center off-Broadway in the 2010-2011 season.  The production had been aiming for a Broadway run next year, however, the Baitz has now decided that show show is better suited for a smaller production at the moment, and will open at the Newhouse on Janueary 13, 2011.  Previews will begin on December 16, 2010.

Writes the Times: "Jeffrey Richards, who had been one of the lead producers of the play for Broadway - which would have been Mr. Baitz's first commercial Broadway production - provided the initial confirmation on Friday that the show would move to the Newhouse, a preference on Mr. Baitz's part that Mr. Richards said he supported...Mr. Baitz, in a telephone interview, said he decided that the familiar scale and trappings of the Newhouse were a better fit for both him and for the play, which concerns a former matinee idol turned ambassador, his wife (a screenwriter) and their daughter (a novelist)."

Baitz tells the New York Times: "It felt like one less pressure to put on myself, instead of trying to work in a very specific arena which seems to be dictated by the presence of stars...I wasn't sure if that was an added pressure that I wanted. And getting away from the West Coast pressure of show business, I didn't want to be indentured to that again."  He hopes to one day have the "courage" to bring DESERTS to Broadway.

Biatz's previous plays include Mizlansky/Zilinsky (a.k.a. Schmucks) directed by Mantello, The Film Society, The End of the Day, Three Hotels, and The Substance of Fire, A Fair Country, and Ten Unknown, all of which have been previously produced at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre. Additional works include a new adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler (first at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse with Annette Bening in 1999, then at Long Island's Bay Street Theater with Kate Burton in 2000, followed by a Broadway production with the same star the following year), Ten Unknowns (2001), starring Donald Sutherland and Juliana Margulies, and The Paris Letter (2005) with Ron Rifkin and John Glover. His screenplays include the adaptation of his own Substance of Fire (1996), with Tony Goldwyn and Timothy Hutton joining original cast members Rifkin and Parker, and People I Know (2003), which starred Al Pacino.

Baitz's occasional work writing for such television series as The West Wing and Alias led to his position as creator and executive producer of the ABC TV drama Brothers & Sisters, which premiered in September 2006. Baitz is the New School for Drama's artist in residence for the 2009-2010 school year. He is set to pen the stage adaptation of Hollywood legend Robert Evans' memoirs, The Kid Stays in the Picture and it's sequel, The Fat Lady Sang, with award-winning Sir Richard Eyre set to direct.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.