Inception Theatre/'Other Desert Cities,' by Jon Robin Baitz
This family is nuclear, like the Bomb
September 11, 2013At first, “Other Desert Cities” seems to be built on No. 7-A of the playwright's crib-a-plot book: It's a holiday family gathering, when good will inevitably begins to fray as the sniping and arguments begin. Then, just as matters are reaching a boiling point, a devastating family secret is revealed.
But thanks to thoughtful structure and exemplary writing, the familiar is brand new in the hands of Jon Robin Baitz, whose beautifully crafted “Other Desert Cities” (2010) is being staged by the latest local theatrical nomad, Inception Theatre. The company's first (very well received) outing was three years ago at Blue Star. This thoroughly laudable production is its second, now playing at the Performing Arts San Antonio Black Box.
Director Mandy Epley has assembled a stellar cast of five. She keeps the pacing taut and the action completely natural-appearing. The setting is Christmas at the Wyeth home in Palm Springs.
Catherine Babbitt is cringingly convincing as Polly Wyeth, a former screenwriter and controlling mother who eschews her Jewish roots to emulate the Christian conservatives she hobnobs with in Palm Springs society. Despite her blunt outspokenness, it is plain that she loves her family. Wade Young brings both humor and poignancy to the role of her husband, Lyman, a former screen actor who was an ambassador during the Reagan presidency. He tries to marshal all of his diplomatic abilities to deal with an impending family crisis.
That crisis takes the form of a soon-to-be-published book by daughter Brooke, a novelist who lives in Long Island and has not been home for years. Christie Beckham gives a multi-layered reading of a confused young woman almost irretrievably shattered by the loss of her elder brother some years ago. The brother was a revolutionary of the Weatherman ilk, whose suicide note was all that was left after a bombing for which he was blamed. The family learns that the manuscript is not a novel, but a memoir dealing with that loss.
Magda Porter puts her own unique stamp – among other things, a sort of giggling tic – on irreverent, zinger-pitching alcoholic Aunt Silda, who is residing with the Wyeths while she supposedly dries out.
The son, Trip Wyeth, is the successful producer of a crime-related reality show. Michael Burger effectively captures his strength, easy-going wit and warmth.
After the manuscript is read, it is time for some shocking revelations, centering on a secret that will rock the foundations of the family.
The uncredited set is functional but rather cold, with all the right furniture and props in all the right places, enhanced with a gaudy tree and lots of holiday décor. But as we learn more about the family, we see that it actually reflects the Wyeth's facade. Provocative additions were brief rear-wall projections of words and phrases plucked from dialogue as it was delivered.
The audience was painfully small when I attended this excellent production. Let's hope the word is spread, so that another three years won't pass before Inception Theatre's next one.
Diane Windeler
“Other Desert Cities” runs through Sept. 29 at Performing Arts San Antonio, 15705 San Pedro Ave. near Brook Hollow (see web site for directions). General admission tickets are $25 through Inceptiontheatre.com or brownpapertickets.com
