OTHER DESERT CITIES 2026 Previews — Page 4

I had originally assumed that Janney was Polly and JLD was Silda. The thing is, Janney could play both of those roles easily, while it seems that JLD maybe doesn't have the chops for Polly. Both roles fit squarely into Janney's wheelhouse, but she did just do a famous Channing role on her last Broadway outing.

CoffeeBreak said: "The direction is almost non existent. It leaves the actors on their own making for a very uneven night of varying styles and energy. They should bring in a director NOW to help this cast find its play - even ifmiscast. Right now they are left out to dry. And the poorstaging is hurting the scenes and play itself. This needs help. now. Producers, get on it while you can."

I was surprised they assembled this cast and didn't hire an equally A list director. I understand Hickey has a good relationship with the author and some of the cast but his resume is not that of a Mantello, for example.

My understanding is that Hickey is the one who initiated the revival and assembled the cast. This wasn't a case of producers starting with the property and/or cast and then looking for a director (a la Audra's Gypsy). This article kind of says it, but I'm sure I read an interview with Baitz that says Hickey pitched it to him.

MemorableUserName said: "My understanding is that Hickey is the one who initiated the revival and assembled the cast. This wasn't a case of producers starting with the property and/or cast and then looking for a director (a la Audra's Gypsy). This article kind of says it, but I'm sure I read an interview with Baitz that says Hickey pitched it to him."

Regardless, it is Hickey who has truly dropped the ball here. And hard.

When you have Janney fading into the background (a hard task) and Lily in a different play - there is a directorial issue. The staging is collegiate and awkward (not in a good way).

Someone needs to step in and get someone else in there to "help". It will sell but sad with the talent assembled - and at the price.

Hickey is a lovely lovely man - but his loveliness isn't helping this cast or play.

Updated On: 10/9/26 at 10:50 AM

Agree.

I do hope they can find him some help to work the play into something before opening. This does happen.

Updated On: 10/19/26 at 11:02 AM

Show Score is coming in more positive, 77% and mostly quite glowing; but Reddit is 50-50, several finding Louis-Dreyfuss miscast or unsuccessful within the constraints of her taking on the role. I suppose that's the comment that confuses me. To be sure, Channing was likely definitive, her ability to suggest old school Hollywood and sort of cosplay Texan gal without visible effort was a unique synergy of actor and character. She was droll, yet she carried a gravitas. But here's a question: can Polly have a sunnier - in light of revelations in act 2 - more performative temperament? Does the play stretch thus? That's why I presume Louis-Dreyfus was considered at the production's inception. I remember wondering if Sally Field might replace Channing, had the original continued, and several on this board agreed that Field - scoring vividly on Broadway in The Goat - would be bold. Is Louis-Dreyfus closer to that interpretation (though admittedly, it never existed, so I'm shadow boxing here)?

Updated On: 10/11/26 at 11:17 AM

I was not crazy about this play when it was first produced, though most of its cast made the best possible case for it.

Comments about John Benjamin Hickey's direction reminded me of something Tonya Pinkins said after working on Rasheeda Speaking for The New Group. That the play needed a real director, and not an actor trying their hand at directing (in that case, Cynthia Nixon). This might be easier said than done, since they are as well known as they are, but maybe successful NY actors need to direct regionally before taking on Broadway and off-Broadway plays. Even loaded with potential they might not be ready.

My own subjective take, and it's an alternative POV, not a scold: calling it "dated" misses the point of the revival's timing. It's not being staged in the present, it's being offered now with the prism of invaluable historical fiction. The early years after 9/11 were horrific in this country, divisive, frightening, irresolute in foreign policy and its domestic consequences; and let's be politically specific: the origin story of the Tea Party, the Tea Party the forerunner of the MAGA mindset. This deeply fractured family, with its traumatic tether to Vietnam and its denialism offers a chance to looks at 2026 and remember: this is in part how we got here. Those calling out its historical markers as a liability might pause to recognize the parallels. I see this revival as an opportunity to re-open one chapter of America's start-stop maturation and recognize its influence.

the direction and staging in this show isn't helping some of the miscasting in the show. They seem rudderless. Especially the women.

I saw a magnificent production in 2012 at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. It was the West Coast Premiere of the play,

JoBeth Williams, Robert Foxworth, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Weigert and Michael Weston starred.

The role of Trip Wyeth was portrayed by Thomas Sadoski in the earlier version. Really random Hollywood tie-in: Sadoski is presently separated from Amanda Seyfried, Oscar-nominated for Mank a few years ago.

Sergius, a trusted and discerning voice on ATC, found much to admire, despite reservations. I’m starting to believe the reviews might be mixed to positive. The play has never appealed to everyone - I recall it being considered old fashioned two decades ago - but it is so wildly entertaining, it delivers.

Tennis Fan said: "The role of Trip Wyeth was portrayed by Thomas Sadoski in the earlier version. Really random Hollywood tie-in: Sadoski is presently separated from Amanda Seyfried, Oscar-nominated for Mank a few years ago."

He's about to be in DOWNSTATE.