News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Jon Robin Baitz Headshot

Jon Robin Baitz

Get Jon Robin Baitz Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Plays include Mizlansky/Zilinsky or "schmucks," The Film Society, The Substance of Fire, The End of the Day, Three Hotels, A Fair Country, (an adaptation of) Hedda Gabler, Ten Unknowns and The Paris Letter. He is a Pulitzer Prize finalist for A Fair Country and a Guggenheim, NEA and American Academy of Arts & Letters Award winner. He is on the faculties of the New School's Graduate Drama Division and Stony Brook South Hampton's MFA in theater and film. His screenplays include The Substance of Fire and People I Know starring Al Pacino, both for Miramax. He created the ABC-TV drama "Brothers & Sisters" in 2006, after writing an episode of "The West Wing" ("The Long Goodbye").



Baitz is the author of Other Desert Cities which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play, Lortel, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, winning the latter.

Photos

Awards and Nominations

The Pulitzer Prize - 2012 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Jon Robin Baitz, Other Desert Cities

Tony Awards - 2012 - Best Play

Jon Robin Baitz , Other Desert Cities

Drama Desk Awards - 2011 - Outstanding Play

Jon Robin Baitz, Other Desert Cities

The Lortels - 2011 - Oustanding Play

Jon Robin Baitz, Other Desert Cities

The Pulitzer Prize - 1996 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Jon Robin Baitz, Fair Country

The Pulitzer Prize - 1996 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Jon Robin Baitz, A Fair Country

Drama Desk Awards - 1988 - Outstanding New Play

Jon Robin Baitz, The Film Society

Videos

News


Review: OTHER DESERT CITIES at Susquehanna Stage

Other Desert Cities may not be a play you’ve heard of, but it is certainly one you won’t want to miss. The Susquehanna Stage production of this contemporary drama is a powerful representation of Jon Robin Baitz’s sharp, emotionally charged script. While it’s only a 'Christmas play' in the same way Die Hard is a “Christmas movie”, the holiday reunion at the heart of the story serves as the perfect backdrop for this exploration of family dynamics, political divides, and the emotional weight of long-buried secrets.
Video: FX Releases 'Symphony of Screams' to Celebrate GROTESQUERIE Premiere

In celebration of the premiere of FX’s Grotesquerie, FX has officially released the first-ever “Symphony of Screams,” a brand new composition harvested from the screams from fans who were anxiously awaiting the new 10-part series from executive producer Ryan Murphy.
Meet the Cast of LEFT ON TENTH, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Delia Ephron’s new play Left on Tenth, starring Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award winner Julianna Margulies and Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner Peter Gallagher, is beginning Broadway previews tonight, September 6. Meet the cast of Left on Tenth here!
Video: ABC Shares DOCTOR ODYSSEY Trailer; More Guest Stars Revealed

ABC has released the official trailer for Doctor Odyssey, the upcoming Ryan Murphy medical procedural featuring Joshua Jackson and Phillipa Soo. The trailer also more casting for the series including Shania Twain, John Stamos, Cheyenne Jackson, and more.
Video/Photos: DOCTOR ODYSSEY Teaser Trailer and Photos With Phillipa Soo and Shania Twain

ABC has released the official teaser trailer and new photos for Doctor Odyssey, the upcoming Ryan Murphy medical procedural featuring Joshua Jackson and Phillipa Soo. The trailer also reveals the casting of Shania Twain as one of the guests in the new show.
Video: ABC Shares New Promo for DOCTOR ODYSSEY Series Feat. Phillipa Soo

ABC has released a new promo for Doctor Odyssey, the upcoming Ryan Murphy medical procedural featuring Joshua Jackson and Phillipa Soo. The series is set to premiere Thursday, September 26 at 9pm ET on ABC and will also stream on Hulu. 
Review: THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE at Ruskin Group

Rob Morrow has found a dramatic vehicle that – more than 25 years after its premiere - is deepening and maturing as intriguingly as the actor himself. Baitz’s play is small with a loud heart. Director Mike Reilly, Morrow and co. do it up proud.
Ojai Playwrights Conference Announces Actors, Directors, And Dramaturgs For 2024 New Works Festival

Ojai Playwrights Conference has announced the full roster of artists for its 27th Annual New Works Festival to be held August 1 - 4 in Ojai, CA.
Interview: Marcia Cross' The Substance in THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE

Currently at the Ruskin Group Theatre, Jon Robin Baitz’s The Substance of Fire which opened last week. Mike Reilly directs the cast of Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross with Emmitt Butler, Fiona Dorn and Barret T. Lewis. Marcia most genially made time to answer a few of my queries.
Ruskin Group Theatre Presents THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE Opening July 12

Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross star in THE SUBSTANCE OF FIRE at Ruskin Group Theatre, opening July 12. Written by Jon Robin Baitz, the play promises a compelling performance by the acclaimed actors.
Ojai Playwrights Conference Announces 2024 Playwrights

Ojai Playwrights Conference has announced the selected playwrights for its 2024 Conference and New Works Festival, featuring workshops and public performances of new plays from August 1-4 in Ojai, CA.
Marcy Carsey To Be Honored at LATW 50th Anniversary Gala at The Broad

Marcy Carsey will be honored at LATW's 50th Anniversary Gala on June 2 at The Broad in Santa Monica. Learn more and join the celebration of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Julianna Marguiles and Peter Gallagher To Lead LEFT ON TENTH On Broadway; Susan Stroman To Direct

Left On Tenth, a new play by author and screenwriter, Delia Ephron, based on her New York Times best-selling memoir, is slated to open on Broadway this fall starring Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award winner Julianna Margulies as Delia and Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award winner Peter Gallagher as Peter. Susan Stroman is set to direct, with theater and dates to be announced.
FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS Soundtrack Out Now

Hollywood Records and FX set the release of the original soundtrack to the FX eight-episode limited series, “FEUD: Capote Vs. The Swans,” with the main title theme by fifteen-time Academy Award nominee, Emmy and six-time GRAMMY winning composer Thomas Newman and score by composer Julia Newman.
Tanya Berezin, Actress and Former Artistic Director of Circle Repertory Company, Has Passed Away

Tanya Berezin, actress and former Artistic Director of Circle Repertory Company has passed on November 29th at the age of 82 from lung cancer, according to the New York Times. She was at home of her daughter, Lila Thirkield, in San Francisco. 
Video: Watch the FEUD: CAPOTE VS. THE SWANS Trailer

The trailer for season two of Ryan Murphy's Feud anthology has been released. Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans features Diane Lane as Slim Keith and Tom Hollander as Capote, Naomi Watts as Babe Paley, Chloë Sevigny as C.Z. Guest, and Calista Flockhart as Lee Radziwill. Watch the video, also featuring Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, and Treat Williams.
New York Stage and Film Launches '40 Campaign'

New York Stage and Film has successfully launched the “NYSAF 40 Campaign: The Foundation of American Storytelling” in honor of their 40th Anniversary in 2025. For nearly four decades, NYSAF has been an integral part of the arts in the U.S. and vital to the creation of thousands of new stories for the stage and screen.
André Bishop Will Step Down as Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater

Bishop has served as Producing Artistic Director of Lincoln Center Theater since July 2013, and first joined the organization as Artistic Director in January 1992.  His departure in June 2025 will coincide with the close of Lincoln Center Theater’s 40th anniversary season.
Caroline Aaron, Marilu Henner, Melanie Mayron & JoBeth Williams to Star in MADWOMEN OF THE WEST Off-Broadway

LDOS Media Lab, with Deco Rose Productions will present the New York premiere of Madwomen of the West, a new comedy by Sandra Tsing Loh. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets!
Neil Patrick Harris to Guest Star in PETER PAN GOES WRONG at the Ahmanson Theatre

Broadway's “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” will welcome Tony Award-winner Neil Patrick Harris, who follows Bradley Whitford and Daniel Dae Kim as special guest star for performances as the comedy extends for final week at Center Theatre Group at the Ahmanson Theatre.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Jon Robin Baitz written?

Jon Robin Baitz has written 13 shows including The Film Society (Playwright), The Substance of Fire (Playwright), The End of the Day (Playwright), Three Hotels (Playwright), A Fair Country (Playwright), Mizlansky Zilinsky or 'Schmucks' (Playwright), Ten Unknowns (Playwright), Short Talks on the Universe (Playwright), Chinese Friends (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (1) (Playwright), Escape: 6 Ways to Get Away (2) (Playwright), The Paris Letter (Playwright), Other Desert Cities (Playwright).

What awards has Jon Robin Baitz been nominated for?

The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Other Desert Cities, Best Play (Tony Awards) for Other Desert Cities , Outstanding Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Other Desert Cities, Oustanding Play (The Lortels) for Other Desert Cities, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Fair Country, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for A Fair Country and Outstanding New Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Film Society.

Get Jon Robin Baitz Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos