OTHER DESERT CITIES 2026 Previews — Page 4

quizking101 said: "Honestly, after some thought, I’m sticking with Janney and JLD should have switched roles. Janneyis a creature of the theatre and would’ve known how to land that snobby, contemptuous affluence, while JLD could’ve played into the comedy she knows best.

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I saw a b-roll compilation of the original cast on YouTube. I immediately thought Janney should play the Stockard Channing part and JLD should play Silda.

No one will ever stand a chance taking out Stockard in the the role. She was stunning and deserved the Tony that year. She held the audience in her palm.

Updated On: 10/9/26 at 09:06 AM

Considering Mantello did the original run and probably wouldn't be asked/want to return to it, I would Lila Neugebauer, David Cromer, or Pam MacKinnon would have been the best choices to direct.

I couldn’t agree more with CoffeeBreak, this show is all at sea. When you have Allison Janney sitting with her back facing the audience and not reacting to a pivotal moment, you know you’re in trouble.

I will say that Lily, Joe and Ed are hitting it out of the park! I don’t care what the reviews say (…which I think will be a pass, especially for Julia, if she’s lucky), but true theatergoers must see these three dig into their parts. Really a masterclass of acting. I’d say the same of Alison but unlike Judith, she kind of sinks into the background. I feel like Lily will definitely be remembered come Tony season.

The play itself is also a vestige of its time. Where there is no longer shame in politics for far greater offenses, the reveal of this play just lacks impact. I was in my 20s when I first saw this, and perhaps time has made me more jaded, but the play now feels like it lacks consequences.

Updated On: 10/9/26 at 10:43 AM

WldKingdomHM said: "No one will ever stand a chance taking out Stockard in the the role. She was stunning and deserved the Tony that year. She heldthe audience in her palm."

She had a formidable opponent at the Tonys in Nina Arianda, and I think Stockard would’ve won had Nina not made a volcanic debut.

With regards to the role - nobody will ever beat Stockard if they decide their best course is to copy Stockard. With a performer that is matched to the material and a director to get them there, they can certainly create their own memorable version that people will be talking about for years.