In today’s deeply divided America, many conservatives and liberals see each other not simply as politically misguided, but as outright enemies. And when those divisions occur within nuclear families, the cracks run deep.
That’s the case for the Wyeths, an affluent but dysfunctional White American family who have gathered for the 2004 Christmas holidays in Jon Robin Baitz’s play “Other Desert Cities.” It was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2012 and was first produced locally at the Old Globe in 2013. Now it’s back in director Sean Murray’s taut, well-cast and visually stunning production that opened Saturday at Cygnet Theatre.
Wealthy retirees Lyman and Polly Wyeth, who live in a gorgeous mid-century modern home overlooking Palm Springs, are a study in contrasts. They’re Jews who made their names in Hollywood — Lyman as an actor and Polly as a screenwriter — before becoming active in the Republican Party during in the Reagan era, when Lyman served as a U.S. ambassador. Although there’s an unused menorah tucked high on a bookshelf, their living room is dominated by a huge Christmas tree. There are other ways the Wyeths are not what they seem, but I won’t reveal them.
ing their Christmas celebration are their 20something son Trip, an upbeat reality TV producer; Polly’s bitter sister Silda, a recovering addict; and their 40-ish daughter Brooke, who arrives from her home in Long Island carrying a secret manuscript for her memoir that would destroy their fragile family harmony if she publishes it.
The central point of Brooke’s book is the long-ago suicide death of the Wyeths’ eldest son, Henry, who was involved with a radical and violent anti-war group before his death. Brooke blames her parents for refusing to help Henry when he was alive and refusing to talk about him since his death, out of fear for their reputation. The gripping play, which runs 2-1/2 hours with intermission, movies swiftly, and there are several surprise reveals in the second act that you won’t see coming.
Veteran San Diego actor Rosina Reynolds is the cast standout in her icy, fierce and acerbic performance as the uncompromising Polly. Alan Rust has a quiet and gentle frailty as family patriarch Lyman, who is visibly shattered by his daughter’s manuscript. Melanie Lora channels fury, vulnerability and finally a sense of hope as her character Brooke, who has recently spent six months in a mental health clinic. As Silda, Debra Wanger has a brittle and bitter presence. Geoffrey Ulysses Geissinger adds needed levity to the play as the sarcastic son Trip.
The physical production is excellent. Andrew Hull’s luxurious living room set has a huge picture window overlooking the Coachella Valley, which is beautifully lit by lighting designer Joshua Heming. Brooke Nicole Kesler designed the desert chic costumes and George Yé designed sound.
Although the look and feel of “Other Desert Cities” has a yesteryear quality, the issues the family wrestles with, including government surveillance, feel very now. Dark secrets have poisoned the Wyeths, but coming together on common ground will be their cure.
‘Other Desert Cities’
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Through March 2
Where: Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town State Historic Park, San Diego
Tickets: $34 and up
Phone: 619-337-1525
Online: cygnettheatre.com
