Jon Robin Baitz’s family drama Other Desert Cities returned to Broadway at the Hudson Theatre on October 18, 2026, featuring a star-studded cast led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in her Broadway debut alongside Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Joe Keery, and Lily Rabe under the direction of John Benjamin Hickey.
Fifteen years after its initial premiere, the revival brings the Palm Springs-set Christmas Eve story back to New York for a scheduled 16-week limited engagement running through Sunday, January 17, 2027. The production features scenic design by Scott Pask, costumes by Tom Broecker, lighting by Natasha Katz, and casting by Jim Carnahan, with a running time of two hours and thirty minutes including one intermission.
The Palm Springs Holiday Gathering and the Memoir That Breaks It
Set in 2004 during the Bush administration, the play centers on the wealthy, politically connected Wyeth family. Lyman Wyeth, played by Ed Harris, and his sharp-tongued wife Polly, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, are joined at their sun-drenched desert home by their adult children and Polly’s sister Silda. Director John Benjamin Hickey steers the production at the Hudson Theatre, where the open-floor, large-windowed home serves as the backdrop for the family’s escalating confrontations.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is dynamite in 'Other Desert Cities' – Review https://t.co/GfuVmLKWOi
Tension arrives in the form of daughter Brooke, played by Lily Rabe. Returning after a period of absence, Brooke brings along the manuscript of an impending memoir that focuses on the radicalization and suicide of her older brother, Henry. The book accuses her parents and their conservative circle of responsibility for the family tragedy, setting off a fierce clash over memory, grief, and political ideology.
Star-Studded Cast and Divergent Critical Reception
The high-profile production has drawn mixed reviews from critics, particularly regarding the balance between star power and theatrical weight. While some reviewers praised the ensemble’s energy, others noted that the production occasionally leans into comedy at the expense of deeper emotional stakes.
Reviewers singled out individual standout performances across the cast. Joe Keery, making his Broadway debut as younger brother Trip, earned praise for navigating the family chaos as a reality television producer with a casual demeanor. Allison Janney plays Silda, a recovering alcoholic living with the family after a stint in rehab, delivering sharp retorts to Polly’s conservative composure.
Ticket Pricing and the Hudson Theatre Engagement
Playing at the Hudson Theatre on West 44th Street, the production continues performances ahead of its scheduled closing date on January 17, 2027.
