Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger, Alan Rust, Melanie Lora, Rosina Reynolds, Debra Wanger. Photo by Karli Cadel.
Families. Oy. Especially the folks who live in an upscale Palm Springs home in Jon Robin Baitz’s “Other Desert Cities,” called a “searingly funny drama” on the program cover of Cygnet Theatre’s latest theatrical offering.
It is just that, not to mention almost depressing, given the way they sometimes treat each other. Alan Rust* plays Dad Lyman Wyeth, trying to keep the family happy and functional. Lyman is a former actor who served as an ambassador in the Reagan administration.
Mainly, there’s writer Brooke Wyeth (played by a deliberate Melanie Lora*), home to celebrate Christmas with the family after a six-year absence. Brooke is about to write another book, this one a sad family memoir about a tragic event from the past.
Brooke’s mom Polly (brilliantly played by Rosina Reynolds) used to be a screenwriter. Now she’s just a solid Republican who sometimes gets annoyed at “you indulged children of the ‘me’ generation.”
Brooke’s other sib is youngest son and reality TV producer Trip, played by Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger with the devil-may-care attitude of the young.
Then there’s elderly Silda Grauman (wonderfully played by Debra Wanger*), Jewish, bitter and alcoholic. She whines “I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I lost is 14 days.”
What’s going to happen? Oh, lots of things, some funny, some sad, some that will probably remind you of someone or something in your life.
But it’s all done well, as is typical of Cygnet.
* member of Actor’s Equity
The details
"Other Desert Cities" plays through March 2, 2025 at Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs Street in Old Town.
Shows Wednesday through Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
For tickets call the box office (619) 337-1525, open from 12-6pm or write them at boxoffice@cygnettheatre.org.
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