This production is running at Coachella Valley Repertory Through May 4, 2025

By: June August April 28, 2025

As a regular theatergoer who has seen Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities before–twice in the Coachella Valley–I wasn’t expecting to be surprised.  Well, it was more than a play; it was an experience.  At rise, I found myself embraced by a set that invited me into the living room of an upscale Palm Spring home.  From that moment on, I was captured by the sensitive acting and masterful direction in this stunning production at Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre in Cathedral City.

Those of us who remember the halcyon days of television family life are aware of  the shift in character dynamic that began in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  Today, it is common that families, as portrayed by the media, are dysfunctional.  Baitz has created a complicated dysfunction in the Wyeth family that distinguishes Other Desert Cities. Their issues cover a wide range of topics.  Since I allowed myself to be surprised, I won’t be a spoiler by giving away the story

Here are the women:  Dawn Cantwell (Brooke Wyeth) is totally immersed in her character as the daughter and sister who comes home to warn her family that she is about to betray them.  Although this is her long-delayed come-uppance, she cares enough to provide a heads-up.  Lois Robbins (Polly Wyeth) is charming and believable as the self-involved, well-to-do Palm Springs Replublican.  But she doesn’t look old enough to have adult children.  (That’s a compliment, Lois.) In Act II she reveals her depth of emotion.  You might recognize people you know in the performace of Susan J. Jacks (Silda Grauman).  She is funny and touching and perceptive as an alcoholic trying to navigate a dependent relationship with her younger sister Polly.

Now the men:  Bruce Sabath (Lyman Wyeth) looks the part, sounds the part, and is convincing that that he, like his idol Ronald Reagan, have given up show buimness for a career in politics.  His turn in Act II is gut-wrenching.  How I wish I had a brother like Luke Wehner‘s Trip Wyeth.  He would challenge me and be the one person I could disagree with and never stop loving with all my heart.  Thank you, Luke, for that portrait.

As I mentioned, I am quite familiar with this play, but I didn’t know it would be like this. The actors were inspired. I credit the director, Philip Wm. McKinley for that. Jimmy Cuomo and the set construction crew, you’ve done it again!