2/22 Sunday eve, on my way home, I stopped at Portland Center Stage, and watched Other Desert Cities, a new play by Jon Robin Baitz. A family reunion in Palm Spring on Christmas Eve. The parents are respectable Republicans, who mingled with Nancy Reagan and the like years ago. The sister, just out of alcoholic rehab, and trying to recover. The daughter, Brooke, who were depressed for years, and ready to publish a new novel. The youngest son, who's a mediator in the play. Brooke brought her book, a memoir about her older brother's suicide, which stirred up lots of angry accusations.Overall, I enjoy the play very much, especially the latter half, the beautiful yet simple stages set, the surprise ending. The beginning was a bit strange. The conversation didn't make sense at first, dialogue not natural. As the story progresses, it's better. They mentioned about Jews, so I thought this was a Jewish family. Then, why celebrating Christmas. The story is a bit forced. The older brother's behavior seemed sudden. But it's complex. Trying to squeeze into a 2 hour show, not easy. I really like Ned Schmidtke who played the father, very well done. The mother, not so much. She waves her arms unnecessarily, like she knows she's on stage. All of them well played, and articulated clearly.
D'Arcy Dersham......................Brooke Wyeth Barbara Broughton...................Polly Wyeth Ned Schmidtke.......................Lyman Wyeth Susan Cella.........................Silda Grauman Joel Reuben Ganz....................Trip Wyeth Timothy Bond........................Director William Bloodgood...................Scenic Designer Devon Painter.......................Costume Designer Dawn Chiang.........................Lighting Designer Casi Pacilio........................Sound Designer
