Other Desert Cities at Westminster Community Playhouse

Nominated for 5 Tony Awards, Finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Recipient of the Outer Critics Circle Award, the powerful family and political drama, OTHER DESERT CITIES, written by acclaimed playwright Jon Robin Baitz, (creator of ABC's hit series "Brothers and Sisters"; writer "The West Wing") this dramatic play which is described by critics as "powerful", "poignant and moving", will be performed in a Los Angeles area special engagement production at Westminster Community Playhouse March 9-25, 2018. Fri/Sat nights 8p.m., Sunday matinees 2p.m.

Tickets through Goldstar or Call Box Office for Tickets (714) 893-8626 www.WCPStage.com

Produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc.

 LOS ANGELES TIMES:

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

"Other Desert Cities" overflows with tension and conflict, while packing a powerful punch in its climax." - 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 poignant, family and political drama, OTHER DESERT CITIES, author and magazine writer Brooke Wyeth 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, her brother Trip and Aunt Silda.  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, author and magazine writer Brooke Wyeth (Cassidy McMillan) has been in recovery in and out of hospitals 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, that she had not prior dealt with emotionally, as well as a recent divorce. The family tragedy from years prior revolves around the suicide of Brooke's older brother Henry, (Polly and Lyman's eldest son). Henry had been implicated in a severe criminal act stemmed from political activism gone terribly wrong. Brooke 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, yet remaining kind and empathetic. Brooke's mother Polly Wyeth (Kimberly Wooldridge), a former Hollywood screenwriter, old guard Republican and 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, one can see Polly loves her daughter Brooke, but Polly has never expressed that to her daughter, instead always giving her opinions of criticism.  Brooke's dad Lyman Wyeth (John Parker), a former Hollywood film actor who was appointed as an Ambassador by Ronald Reagan during Reagan's presidency, cares very much about his daughter Brooke and carries guilt regarding the events that led to the 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 terrible incidents.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

Performance Dates: March 9, 10, 11 March 16, 17, 18 March 23, 24, 25, 2018.

Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm / Sunday Matinees at 2pm

Tickets $10 - $22. Theater Location/Website: Westminster Community Playhouse 7272 Maple Street, Westminster, California. 

Tickets through Goldstar or Call Box Office for Reserved Tickets: (714) 893-8626 www.WCPStage.com 

 Don't miss out on the Final Weekend of Performances of this Powerful Production The Los Angeles Times says: