Other Desert Cities first preview

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 9:31pm

Couldn't wait till after the show to start proclaiming the brilliance of this production. I love all five of the actors (great replacements from off bway) and the script is fantastic. Congrats to all!!

[jbm2]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 9:57pm

I cannot WAIT to see this next week...Thinking about bringing my daughter with me.... Is it appropriate for a 14 year old girl?

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 10:01pm

After a bunch of mediocre stuff starting previews of late, it's so nice to hear about a fantastic show. I am dying to see this.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 10:33pm

How was Judith Light?

[PianoMann]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 10:41pm

I'm really dying to see this, but based on some of the things I've read, there is no student rush being offered, only discount tickets for 21 thru 35 year olds. Is that true?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 10:52pm

Lincoln Center doesn't do student rush anymore, only Linc Tix, which are for anyone that falls into that age bracket. The tickets are $31, plus a small service fee.

Pretty good deal. Sitting in the front row for the matinee on 10/22.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 10:59pm

Judith was AMAZING!!!

Loved every second of it. Five marvelous performances directed with flair by Joe Mantello. There are lots of twists to the plot so not much to say there except this isn't just an exercise for actors. There is real meat there and it's wonderful to watch unfold. And first preview? Start with the Tony noms!

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:05pm

I was there.

The play really moved me when I saw it back in December, and I had the same reaction tonight. Of course the show comes in at somewhat of an advantage by having the same director and 3/5ths of its Off-Broadway cast, but it ran exceptionally well for a first preview. Griffiths and Light are both astounding--they might even be better than their predecessors (no small feat). I believe this is Griffiths' American stage debut. She is extraordinary. One of those actresses who can convey so much with just a look.

The three original cast members have only deepened their interpretations since I saw it almost a year ago. I really think this will be remembered as one of the great performances of Channing's career. Polly is not an easy part to play--you have to be terrible and sympathetic simultaneously, throughout--but damned if she doesn't pull it off completely. Keach's monologue is chilling. Sadowski has the least to do IMO (still not sure how he was the one from the cast singled out for OBIE recognition) but he makes it work.

I'm not super-familiar with the play--having not read it between December and tonight--but I didn't notice any major changes.

[ABB2357]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:09pm

How are the first few rows at the Booth? Is the stage high? I'd like to sit close but not too close if I'm going to be craning my neck the whole time.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:10pm

seeing it Friday from front row center (via Linctix!), very much looking forward to this and Brenda Chenowith

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:13pm

The stage is high-ish at The Booth. I've sat there before. I'm tall, so I didn't have problems, but if you're on the shorter side, it might result in some neck-craning.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:15pm

Lincoln Center Theater is doing student rush for this. Same policy they usually have. Tickets are the same price as LincTix, 2 hours prior to the show depending on availability.

Was at the show tonight too. Absolutely loved it. For whatever reason I missed it uptown so I had to see it on Broadway. All five of those actors are doing fabulous work. Can't wait to see it again soon.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:22pm

^I was just about to post a tweet to confirm the rush policy for this show before I saw Blockhead's post. Anyway, from Lincoln Center's Twitter:

Student rush tix for OTHER DESERT CITIES are $31.50, 1 per ID, subject to availability, starting 2 hours prior to a perf

http://twitter.com/#!/LCTheater/status/124247572129910784

I really hope they are able to offer rush tickets. It kills me that I'm not able to do Linctix and I really want to see this show.

[jbm2]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:27pm

appropriate for a 14 year old?

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:29pm

Yes (unless you consider the occasional swear word a dealbreaker). Although I don't know how enjoyable it would be for one.

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:42pm

Have there been any major changes in text since the Off-Broadway? I'm glad to hear about Light and especially Griffith--I know Griffith and playwright Baitz are great friends and always said they'd work together again (when Baitz left his creation, ABC's Brothers and Sisters as head writer midway through Season 2 because of stories and characters forced on him by the network, Rachel threatened to walk as well... She should have as the show crumbled after that, but whatever).

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:46pm

Words truly cannot describe the incredible experience I had tonight at the Booth Theater. I was fortunate enough to see (and love) this brilliant play at the Mitzi Newhouse, and when it was announced to transfer to Broadway, I was so happy that many more people would be able to be exposed to this work.

OTHER DESERT CITIES is one of those plays that comes along once or twice a decade. The writing is some of the best I've ever heard. The play is engaging, flows, and also makes you think. There are so many twists and turns - you laugh and you cry and you gasp, and at the end, you stand and cheer for the perfection you just witnessed for two and a half hours.

I loved both Linda Lavin and Elizabeth Marvel off Broadway but their counterparts are just as good, and will I'm sure improve as previews go on. I love Rachel Griffiths from both "Six Feet Under" and "Brothers and Sisters," and she really shines in her Broadway debut as Brooke Wyeth. Her stage presence is superb and there were many times when she delivered her lines with tears in her eyes...it was wonderful to see her so comfortable on that stage. A brilliant Broadway debut...and she will only improve.

Judith Light was astounding as Silda Grauman. She really gets a few juicy scenes she can really sink her teeth into and doesn't disappoint. I was shocked at how amazing she was at only the first preview...only to improve I'm sure.

Thomas Sadoski as Trip Wyeth was excellent once again. He and Rachel get a great scene together in the beginning of Act 2, and it is also incredible to watch Thomas' reactions to what other cast members are saying...plus his physical motions and acting choices...you can really tell he has developed a character.

Stacy Keach as Lyman Wyeth is excellent as well. I remember loving him off Broadway, but he is even better now. His big scene in Act 2 (don't want to give anything away) nearly brought me to tears.

and then there's Stockard Channing. My first exposure to Stockard Channing on stage was the horrendous PAL JOEY. Well, I am happy to report that she has completely redeemed herself from that show and is giving maybe the best performance on Broadway right now. Her portrayal of Polly Wyeth is absolutely perfect. Her facial expressions, her line deliveries, the way she walks, the way she stands and poses, the way she looks at her fellow cast members...all of it is so well thought out and words truly cannot describe how wonderful she is in this play. I know it is very early in the season, but if I were a Tony voter, I would cast my vote for her right now.

I am making a statement to everyone reading this post - you must go see this play. If you're under 35, use LincTix, if you're over 35, gather up your life savings to buy a ticket. This show is not to be missed. The first preview was completely sold out, and frankly, I hope every single performance is sold out and that the show extends. This deserves to get across the board rave reviews once again and the entire cast needs Tony noms...plus best play and best direction (Joe Mantello is at his best here). I urge you to go see OTHER DESERT CITIES. You will not regret it.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 10/12/11 at 11:59pm

Thanks for the great reviews (and LincTix info) guys! Just got a ticket front row center 11/17 for my NYC trip. So excited with all these raves. Thinking this might be one of the major highlights of the 10 shows I'm seeing...

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 8:23am

Is this an open-ended run or a limited engagement? Currently, tickets are only available through Jan. 8. I'll be in the city starting the 14th and I'm dying to see this.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 8:38am

To quote Steve Martin in "LA Story" -- wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, and most wonderful, and yet again, wonderful.

Getting tix tonight.

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and LincTix info!

[AC126748]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 8:52am

EricMontreal--Having seen both versions, I didn't notice any major changes in the text.

[broadway_show_fan]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 10:46am

Question for the LincTix users who got front-row center: where is your seat location? I had searched several days ago and the best I'd found was 2nd row, BB, in the center section but on the aisle. Are yours AA? Are they more center? I'm not spazzing about being a row back or on the aisle or anything, just curious.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 10:49am

BB is the front row at the Booth. That's where I was sitting last night and it was a perfect way to view the show.

[dshnookie]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 10:57am

BB 101 + 102 :)

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 10/13/11 at 11:50am

^Are you able to get two tickets per person for Linctix?