ACT's OTHER DESERT CITIES Begins 5/31

Conservative parents and their Liberal children square off in Jon Robin Baitz's thrilling drama, Other Desert Cities.

ACT - A Contemporary Theatre is proud to stage the Northwest regional premiere of the play USA Today called "funny, maddening and moving" and New York Magazine called "Nothing short of dazzling." For the Seattle premiere, Pamela Reed (Parks and Recreation, Kindergarten Cop) plays the matriarch Polly Wyeth, and Marya Sea Kaminski makes her ACT Theatre debut as her daughter Brooke. Stage veteran and TV star Kevin Tighe (LOST, Emergency, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) takes on the role of the charismatic patriarch Lyman Wyeth and Other Desert Cities will be directed by Victor Pappas (Stuff Happens, Old Times, Mary Stuart).

"Other Desert Cities is an actors' play. The dialogue is rich with text that you could only wish you had the guts to say to a family member. Baitz has crafted a smart, relevant, witty script which multiple generations can connect to. We get to see what happens behind closed doors for a family that is very concerned with public appearances. With Victor leading this ensemble, the stakes are high, the tension palpable, and the suspense will be thrilling," says ACT Artistic Director Kurt Beattie.

When Brooke Wyeth arrives at her parents' Palm Springs mansion on Christmas Eve with her tell-all memoir in hand, she threatens to tear her family apart with a dangerous secret that could ruin the reputation of the powerful and prestigious Republican dynasty. With razor sharp wit, carefully crafted suspense, and keen insight, Other Desert Cities "has the appeal of a Broadway hit from another age" (The New York Times).
Cast:
Kevin Tighe - LYMAN WYETH
Pamela Reed - POLLY WYETH
Lori Larsen - SILDA GRAUMAN
Marya Sea Kaminski - BROOKE WYETH
Aaron Blakely - TRIP WYETH

Artistic Staff:

Victor Pappas - Director

Robert Dahlstrom - Scenic Design

Francis Kenny - Costume Design
Alex Berry - Lighting Design

Brendan Patrick Hogan - Sound Design
JR Welden - Stage Manager

Other Desert Cities Mainstage Performances:
Friday, May 31, 8:00pm (previews begin)

Saturday, June 1, 8:00pm

Sunday, June 2, 7:30pm

Tuesday, June 4, 7:30pm (Behind the Scenes, 6:00pm)

Wednesday, June 5, 7:30pm

Thursday, June 6, 7:30pm - OPENING NIGHT

Friday, June 7, 8:00pm

Saturday, June 8, 2:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday, June 9, 2:00pm and 7:00pm

Tuesday, June 11, 7:30pm (Post-show discussion)

Wednesday, June 12, 7:30pm

Thursday, June 13, 2:00pm and 7:30pm

Saturday, June 15, 8:00pm

Sunday, June 16, 2:00pm and 7:00pm (Post-matinee discussion)

Tuesday, June 18, 7:30pm

Wednesday, June 19, 7:30pm

Thursday, June 20, 7:30pm

Friday, June 21, 8:00pm

Saturday, June 22, 2:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday, June 23, 2:00pm and 7:00pm (Post-show discussion after 7:00pm performance)

Wednesday, June 26, 7:30 pm

Thursday, June 27, 7:30pm

Friday, June 28, 8:00pm

Saturday, June 29, 2:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday, June 30, 2:00pm - Closing Performance

Full Schedule of free supporting events
Behind The Scenes - Tuesday, June 4, 6:00pm
Post Play Discussions - June 11 (after 7:30pm show), June 16 (after 2:00pm show), June 23 (after 7:00pm show)
Tastings - Friday, June 28, 6:30pm-7:30pm