Performance Network to Present OTHER DESERT CITIES, 6/11-7/12

Performance Network of Ann Arbor will present O?ther Desert Cities?by Jon Robin Baitz June 11­July 12 completing a long delayed co­production with the Jewish Ensemble Theatre. The production garnered rave reviews and near sell out crowds during its West Bloomfield run and tickets are now on sale for the Network production. Directed by David Wolber and co­sponsored by Detroit sports and entertainment executive, Tom Wilson, O?ther Desert Cities?is the story of a wounded family and the secrets they share. It is the final main stage production in the Network's inaugural season under the new management of John Manfredi and Suzi Regan. The cast remains the same as at the JET and features the talents of Leah Smith, Naz Edwards, Hugh Maguire, Sandra Birch and Bryan Lark. Performances run Thursday­Sunday (Preview is Thursday, June 11; Opening Night is Friday, June 12) and tickets range in price from $25 to $41. For more information on the productions and events at the Network or to donate, go to w?ww.pntheatre.org?or call the box office at 734­663­0681.

Other Desert Cities?is a Pulitzer Prize finalist and won the Outer Critics Circle Award in 2011. It takes place the weekend Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six­year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family's history­­ a wound they don't want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them all to cross it.

"O?ther Desert Cities?was an intriguing play last season at the Network, and since it wasn't able to be performed here, it was an obvious choice when we were selecting plays for this season," said Regan. "The cast is wonderful, and the designers and David Wolber had no problem jumping back into it. There are some changes this go around, so even if you saw it at the JET you will still enjoy seeing it here at the Network."