James DeMarse, Susan Cella and More Star in OTHER DESERT CITIES at Pittsburgh Public Theater, Now thru 6/30

Pittsburgh Public Theater's highly successful MADE IN AMERICA season concludes with Jon Robin Baitz's Broadway sensation Other Desert Cities, nominated for the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play. Other Desert Cities is directed by Rob Ruggiero, whose recent Broadway credits include High starring Kathleen Turner and Looped starring Valerie Harper. He was last at The Public to direct Ella. Other Desert Cities runs May 30 - June 30, 2013 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org. The engagement of Helena Ruoti in this production has been generously supported by Richard W. Moriarty, M.D.

Other Desert Cities takes place in 2004 in the Palm Springs home of Lyman Wyeth (James Demarse), a retired actor-politician in the Ronald Reagan mold, and his impeccable wife Polly (Helena Ruoti). Their manicured life is upset when relatives arrive for the holidays including son Trip (John Patrick Hayden), who is a reality show producer, and Polly's wisecracking sister Silda Grauman (Susan Cella), who is just of out rehab. Most troubling is daughter Brooke (Pilar Witherspoon), who is about to publish a revealing memoir. Baitz's funny, explosive and entertaining look at family politics won the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2011. Ben Brantley in the New York Times said: "Built with gleaming dialogue, tantalizing hints of a dangerous mystery and a structural care that brings to mind the heyday of Lillian Hellman, Cities has the appeal of a Broadway hit from another age.

The design team for Pittsburgh Public Theater's production of Other Desert Cities is Michael Schweikardt (Scenic), Amy Clark (Costumes), John Lasiter (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Casting is by McCorkle Casting. Alicia DeMara is the Production Stage Manager; Fredric H. Orner is the Assistant Stage Manager.

Jon Robin Baitz's plays include The Film Society, The Substance of Fire, The End of the Day, Three Hotels, A Fair Country (Pulitzer Prize finalist 1996), Mizlansky/Zilinsky, Ten Unknowns, and The Paris Letter, as well as a version of Hedda Gabler (Broadway 2001). He created the TV series "Brothers & Sisters," which ran for five seasons, until 2011. Other TV work includes PBS' version of "Three Hotels" (Humanitas Award) and episodes of "The West Wing" and "Alias." He is a founding member of Naked Angels Theatre Company and on the MFA faculties at the New School for Drama and SUNY Stony Brook/Southampton.

Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents Other Desert Cities, May 30 - June 30, 2013. Performance Schedule: Tues. at 7 pm; Wed. thru Sat. at 8 pm (except Wed., June 12); Sat. at 2 pm (except June 1 & 8) also 2 pm on Thurs., June 27; Sun. at 2 & 7 pm (except Sun., June 30 when then final performance is at 2 pm); Press Night is Thurs., June 6. Opening Night is Fri., June 7. Ticket Prices: $23 to $55. Students and age 26 and younger $15.75 with valid ID. For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit ppt.org

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