The Indiana Repertory Theatre brings to the OneAmerica Stage Other Desert Cities, from the creator of TV’s Brothers & Sisters. IRT’s Playwright-in-Residence, James Still, returns to Indianapolis to direct the play. Lawrence Pressman, best known for his roles in TV’s Doogie Howser, M.D., is among the cast.
Imagine, your daughter returns home for the holidays, announcing she is about to publish a controversial memoir of your family. Would you let the dirt be dished or be happy for her success? The drama of Other Desert Cities follows a young novelist who returns home to Palm Springs and announces she is publishing a book that will dredge up a deep family tragedy. The tell-all confessional novel threatens to put her prominent all-American family back in the tabloids. But will the truth be exposed? As the family struggles to come to terms with the past, betrayals are unmasked as well as unconditional love.
This production contains strong language.
OTHER DESERT CITIES REVIEW
First, the WARNING: Other Desert Cities contains foul language as well as drug & alcohol use. If any of these offend you, this play may not be your cup of tea.
As far as the play itself goes, it isn’t a feel-good story, nor is it a humorous one. If I had to summarize it in a few words, I’d call it a life story.
But what struck me more about this one was the casting, particularly Lawrence Pressman, whom I grew up seeing on TV, and still do on occasion. I expect to see that caliber of actor on stage in New York City, or even Chicago, but here in Indianapolis that’s not something that crosses my mind when attending the theater. This may very well be due to the co-production of this particular play, but I’d absolutely love to see more recognizable actors and actresses grace the stage here in Indy.
~ Brian Groce
