OTHER DESERT CITIES at Westminster Community Playhouse

Nominated for 5 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize Finalist, recipient Outer Critics Circle Award, the moving and sharp family and political drama OTHER DESERT CITIES, by award-winning writer Jon Robin Baitz, (creator ABC's "Brothers and Sisters"; writer "The West Wing") this drama described by critics as "powerful", "poignant and moving", will be performed in a Los Angeles area production at WCP Stage March 9-25, 2018.

Call Box Office for tickets: (714) 893-8626 or Tickets available through Goldstar https://www.goldstar.com/events/westminster-ca/other-desert-cities-tickets

Produced by Special Arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

LOS ANGELES TIMES Review

"Under the direction of Lenore Stjerne, who specializes in hefty drama, all five deliver superior performances" - Los Angeles Times

http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-wknd-et-titus-20180320-story.html

Directed by Lenore Stjerne

CAST

Brooke Wyeth: Cassidy McMillan.  Polly Wyeth: Kimberly Wooldridge.  Lyman Wyeth: John Parker.  Trip Wyeth: Miller Daurey. Silda Grauman: Janet Arnold-Clark.

In the family and political drama OTHER DESERT CITIES, author and magazine writer Brooke Wyeth (Cassidy McMillan) returns home from New York to Palm Springs, California after a six-year absence in which she battled depression due to a family tragedy, to celebrate Christmas with her parents Polly and Lyman Wyeth (Kim Wooldridge and John Parker), her brother Trip (Miller Daurey) and aunt Silda (Janet Arnold-Clark). 

Brooke announces she is about to publish a memoir dredging up the pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened.  In effect, Brooke draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it. 

A provocative and engaging portrait of a family in conflict, each member looking for acceptance, love and forgiveness.

Additional synopsis:

On Christmas Eve 2004, best-selling author and magazine writer Brooke Wyeth (Cassidy McMillan) who's been in recovery the past six years due to depression from a tragedy that struck the Wyeth family some 20 years prior when Brooke was a young teen, returns home from New York to Palm Springs to her staunch GOP parents' house.  The family tragedy revolves around the suicide of Brooke's older brother Henry. Prior to his suicide, Henry had been implicated in a severe criminal act  stemming from political activism gone wrong. Brooke, kind and empathetic, looked up to Henry whom she considered her best friend and his fateful actions and death sent her into years of a slow spiral of depression, disengaging from allowing herself to get too close to anyone.

Brooke's mother Polly Wyeth (Kimberly Wooldridge), a former Hollywood screenwriter, old guard Republican conservative, friend of Nancy and Ronald Reagan, copes with the traumatic events by distancing herself from what happened as well as daily vodka. In the strained relationship between Brooke and her mother Polly, it would seem Polly loves her daughter Brooke, but has never expressed that to her daughter, but rather always giving criticism, and avoiding the topic of Henry's death.

Brooke's dad Lyman Wyeth (John Parker), a former film actor of Hollywood's golden age who was friends with Ronald Reagan when they both worked as actors, and was appointed as an Ambassador by President Ronald Reagan, cares deeply about his daughter Brooke and carries guilt regarding events that led to the family tragedy and the repercussions it caused. He is the reserved quiet leader and statesman of the family, who sought to protect his family from the unwanted notoriety and media onslaught that followed the incidents surrounding Henry.

Trying to keep the peace in the family is Brooke's younger brother Trip (Miller Daurey), a cynical TV producer of a "reality" courtroom style show. Both he and Brooke were left to deal with the fallout from the trauma of the past, which impacted both of their lives in newly revealed, profound ways. Completing the family is Brooke and Trip's Aunt Silda (Janet Arnold-Clark), who used to write comedic screenplays of lighter fare with her sister Polly in the golden age of Hollywood. Silda, an alcoholic fresh out of rehab, is temporarily living with Polly and Lyman, who are looking after her to ensure she doesn't relapse. Idealistic Silda clashes with her staunch conservative sister Polly. Each family member has secrets which are uncovered as each must grapple with their version of both past and current events.

In the powerful second act, each must make the life changing decision if painful emotional wounds can be healed and forgiveness found.

Director: Lenore Stjerne.  Stage Manager: Tom Mynar

CAST:  Brooke Wyeth: Cassidy McMillan.  Polly Wyeth: Kimberly Wooldridge.  Lyman Wyeth: John Parker. Trip Wyeth: Miller Daurey. Silda Grauman: Janet Arnold-Clark.

Performances: March 9, 10, 11 March 16, 17, 18 March 23, 24, 25 Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm / Sundays 2pm Tickets: $10 - 22. Box Office for Reserved Tickets: (714) 893-8626 or through Goldstar. Theater Location: Westminster Community Playhouse 7272 Maple Street, Westminster, California. Call Box Office for Reserved Tickets: (714) 893-8626 

LOS ANGELES TIMES REVIEW:

http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/entertainment/tn-wknd-et-titus-20180320-story.html

ORANGE COUNTY TRIBUNE REVIEW: 

https://orangecountytribune.com/2018/03/13/other-desert-cities-are-worth-the-trip/

Authors

• Jon Robin Baitz