About The Book

A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Jon Robin Baitz has been called “American theater’s most fascinating playwright of conscience” (Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press). Now the author of The Substance of Fire and A Fair Country brings us an emotionally charged new play about a family coming to terms with long held secrets. When a once-promising novelist returns home to Palm Springs to visit her parents conflict ensues after she announces the imminent publication of her memoir—a book that focuses on the politically explosive and tragic death of her antiwar activist brother. With her parents trying to cling to their Reaganesque social status, the family is torn apart and must come to grips with its painful past.

Praise

“The most richly enjoyable new play for grown-ups that New York has known in many seasons. . . . In his most fully realized play to date, Mr. Baitz makes sure our sympathies keep shifting among the members of the wounded family portrayed here. Every one of them emerges as selfish, loving, cruel, compassionate, irritating, charming and just possibly heroic. . . . leaves you feeling both moved and gratifyingly sated.” —Ben Brantley, The New York Times

“Other Desert Cities is a winner . . . funny and fierce, invigorating and intelligent.” —Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News

“Baitz’s script sparkles with a deep understanding of the turmoil boiling beneath the surface of his characters and it is chock-full of wonderful lines.” —Mark Kennedy, Associated Press

“This scathingly funny, deeply felt family drama is the tastiest, most entertaining new play of the season . . . with a wisdom and compassion—and sureness of touch—that make this his most mature, moving, and flat-out enjoyable work to date.” —Adam Green, Vogue

“A master of crackling dialogue . . . Baitz manages to engage matters of public and private morality—and public and private ideology—with and energy, and a minimum of self-flagellation.” —Scott Brown, New York magazine

“Baitz’s latest familial drama manages to be funny, cutting and illuminating. Secrets, lies and betrayals play out against a backdrop of Californian affluence and restraint. This is rich dysfunction—zingers are delivered with a whiskey chaser.” —Fern Siegel, The Huffington Post

Awards

A Finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize in Drama
Nominated for the 2012 Tony Award for Best Play