This star-packed new play by Jon Robin Baitz had a short run at Lincoln Center before moving after a long gap to Broadway. Stockard Channing, Rachel Griffiths and Stacy Keach were joined by Judith Light and Thomas Sandoski. They present a tight little family drama that packs a big punch at the end.
Lyman and Polly have retired in Palm Springs where they can indulge their conservative politics and otherwise stay out of the spotlight. Daughter Brooke and son Trip are visiting for Christmas in this otherwise Jewish family. Polly's sister and former alcoholic, Silda completes the character list.
Brooke has spent some time in a mental hospital fighting depression. She is an author and she has come bearing her recently completed second novel, which she finally admits is a memoire. She felt compelled to confront the emotions which came from the suicide of brother Henry some years ago. Polly and Lyman get their hackles up as this is a story that they no longer want to deal with, but Brooke forces them.
Henry was rebellious and ran off and joined the military. Seeing the war (Viet Nam?) up close and personal left him intensely opposed to it. He got drawn into radical politics and became sought by the police for a bomb which killed a bystander. He went into hiding and soon committed suicide by jumping into the icy Seattle bay waters from a ferry leaving a note in his shoes.
Brooke believes her parents failed Henry in his moment of greatest need, and Silda shares her opinion, having always rejected her sister's politics. Trip tries to remain above the fight wise-cracking his way through the play (he and Silda have some very funny lines).
After Brooke presents the draft of the book a confrontation is unavoidable. This is a play which points toward the revelations at the conclusion of the play, and they are very effective, but a bit too calculated. You can't help thinking that you have been manipulated by the playwright in that aspects of the story are not as they seem.
There is no quibbling about the acting. Ms. Channing is a tower of rage and insight, showing us a fully-formed character in all her facets and flaws. Mr. Keach nearly matches her, but his bottled-up rage isn't on display as often as his wife's. Rachel Griffiths is the focus of the drama and she holds that position brilliantly. She has to plead her case and withstand the blast of anger which comes her way. Thomas Sadoski plays Trip as Steve Buschemi would; his one-liners are easy on the ear, but he is probably the most expendable character. Judith Light is brilliant as the feisty Silda.
The set is perfect upper-class South West with lots of stone and a round fireplace. This play enchants with its compelling story and opportunity for brilliant acting, Whether the conclusion is too pat is something you will have to decide. I can go with it.
Photos from the New York Times.
Judith Light in ther Desert Cities.
Rachel Griffiths and Thomas Sadoski play siblings in an affluent, fractious family that has a troubled history in this Jon Robin Baitz drama.
Stockard Channing as Polly, mother of the Wyeth family in Other Desert Cities; Stacy Keach as Lyman, the father; and Thomas Sadoski as Trip, the son.