Welcome to another installment of Q&A featuring the cast and crew of Redwood Curtain’s production of?Other Desert Cities by Jon?Robin Baitz.
About?Other Desert Cities
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt.? Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened.? In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
Purchase tickets to?Other Desert Cities?running at Redwood Curtain October 30 – November?22
Lincoln Mitchell
Q: When were you last on the RCT stage?
Last year’s closing show, Far East.
Q:?What character do you play in?Other Desert Cities??Tell us about him?
Lyman Wyeth, the father. He’s a retried movie actor, conservative political person. He was an ambassador under Reagan. He did a lot of movies and had a very comfortable life.
Q:?What attracted you to do this show?
I was asked, which is always a big plus. I’ve worked with [director] Peggy [Metzger] before and really enjoyed that. I’ve worked with several of the people in the cast. It’s a nice group to work with and I really like the script. There’s some really nice things in it.
Q:?What do you hope audiences come away with at the end of the show?
There’s a very good likelihood there’s going to be discussions on ethics. On a personal level, almost all of us would have done something differently. We can recognize why the people in the show did what they did, those are choices people will look at. It touches on really deep values. How parents protect their children and how they protect themselves. It’s going to be a very emotional experience. With all five characters being so well written, I think audiences will feel like they’ve just met five bright, funny, new people.
The cast of the upcoming?Redwood Curtain production of?Other Desert Cities?did a photo shoot this week to show some of what you can expect when the show starts its run October 30. You can purchase tickets online now so you don’t miss the final Redwood Curtain show of the 2014 season.
Lynne Wells and Cassandra Hesseltine
Lynne Wells and Bernadette Cheyne
Lincoln Mitchell and Cassandra Hesseltine
Lincoln Mitchell and Cassandra Hesseltine
Charlie Heinberg and Cassandra Hesseltine
About Other Desert Cities
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened. In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
“The most richly enjoyable new play for grown-ups that New York has known in many seasons…leaves you feeling both moved and gratifyingly sated.” —NY Times
Welcome to another installment of Q&A featuring the cast and crew of Redwood Curtain’s production of?Other Desert Cities by Jon?Robin Baitz.
About?Other Desert Cities
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt.? Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened.? In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
Purchase tickets to?Other Desert Cities?running at Redwood Curtain October 30 – November?22
Bernadette Cheyne
Q: When were you last on the RCT stage?
I was on the RCT stage last in 2002 with Amy’s View. Actually, that was my last time on stage. I directed Don Juan in Chicago in 2004. For a number of years I have been inactive because of the nature of the job I was involved. The scheduling didn’t allow for the schedule you have to accommodate for a show. I’m just delighted to be back.
Q:?What character do you play in?Other Desert Cities??Tell us about her?
Polly is mother of Brooke and Trip, sister of Silda?and wife?of Lyman. She and her husband live in Plam Springs. We’ve?been very?involved in the Hollywood set of the Republican Party. Now we’re in a more retired mode, but still very active in fund raisers and such.
Q:?What attracted you to do this show?
Peggy contacted me and gave me the script. I read it and thought, “Wow. What a fascinating, challenging role.” Let’s just say the mindset and politics of this character don’t quite coincide with my own. The whole circumstance of the play and how it unfolds is fascinated. I was very attracted to the concept of the play and the challenge of the character. Then I heard who was in the cast and I said “sign me up.”
Q:?What do you hope audiences come away with at the end of the show?
I hope they come away really being moved, being thoughtful in terms of the choices that were made and why they were made. What might they do under the circumstances? Maybe even connect it to their own lives when they’ve found themselves in really difficult situations and how they dealt with it along with what might be learned from the choices of these characters.
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her wealthy, conservative parents, her brother, and her aunt. Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history—a wound they don’t want reopened. With humor and poignant honesty, the truth behind memories and family stories is discovered.
This Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama was written by Jon Robin Baitz, and premiered in 2011 with a stellar New York cast.? Since then, it has been playing in regional theatres across the country, enchanting audiences with both laughter and tears.
“This is a script that I could not put down once I started it,” said Director Peggy Metzger.? “The characters are so beautifully written, and the story kept surprising me.? And then to get such phenomenal actors in the cast….I am thrilled!”
The powerhouse cast includes RC actors Bernadette Cheyne, Cassandra Hesseltine, Lincoln Mitchell and Lynne Wells, as well as newcomer Charlie Heinberg.? Scenography (scenic, lighting and costume design) is by Lynnie Horrigan.? Sound design is by Jon Turney, with Technical Direction by Liz Uhazy. Justin Takata stage manages.
Other Desert Cities previews on Thursday and Friday October 30th?and 31st,with $10 tickets, and opening night with Gala reception is Saturday, November 1st, with tickets at $20. Performances continue Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights through November 22nd. ???Cheap date Thursdays on November 6th, 13th, and 20th, two tickets for $20.? A 2pm Sunday Matinees take place on November 16th, with tickets at $15.? Ticket price on Friday and Saturday (except Gala) nights is $15.
Redwood Curtain is at 220 First Street (between C and D) in Old Town, Eureka.? Main entrance is through Snug Alley.
As the theatre is intimate with only 80 seats, reservations are highly recommended, and there is no late seating.? Evening performances begin promptly at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm.
Tickets can be purchased securely online at www.yd8013.com.? ?To reserve tickets, email boxoffice@redwoodcurtain.com or call 443-7688.
Welcome to another installment of Q&A featuring the cast and crew of Redwood Curtain’s production of?Other Desert Cities by Jon?Robin Baitz.
About?Other Desert Cities
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt.? Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened.? In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
Purchase tickets to?Other Desert Cities?running at Redwood Curtain October 30 – November?22
Cassandra Hesseltine
Q: When were you last on the RCT stage?
The Pitman Painters.
Q:?What character do you play in?Other Desert Cities??Tell us about her?
Brooke, and what can I tell you? There are some things I’m sworn to secrecy on. I’ve come home for Christmas and I’ve written a book.
Q:?What attracted you to do this show?
Peggy’s directing. She was my first director at HSU 23 years ago, when I was a freshman in college doing Extremities. I do love working with her. I wanted to be in this show because it’s full of surprises and it’s real family dynamics where we have our own perspective and versions on what happened.
Q:?What do you hope audiences come away with at the end of the show?
First, I hope they had an entertaining evening. Second, if they want to go deeper than that, I hope we give them a reminder of how they take part in relationships and that they should consider there’s always more to a story.
It’s that time of year again!
Redwood Curtain will hold auditions for the 2015 season on November 8 at 9am. You can get the complete details and requirements on the audition information page. Come on out and try out to be a part of Redwood Curtain’s next season!
Welcome to the first installment?of Q&A featuring the cast and crew of Redwood Curtain’s production of?Other Desert Cities by Jon?Robin Baitz.
About?Other Desert Cities
Brooke Wyeth returns home to Palm Springs after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her parents, her brother, and her aunt.? Brooke announces that she is about to publish a memoir dredging up a pivotal and tragic event in the family’s history – a wound they don’t want reopened.? In effect, she draws a line in the sand and dares them to cross it.
Purchase tickets to?Other Desert Cities running at Redwood Curtain October 30 – November?22
Peggy Metzger
Q: What show did you last direct at RCT?
A: The last was The Pitmen Painters?in Season 2013. I’ve directed at least one every year since RCT began?in ’99.
Q:?What drew you to this show?
It’s a tour de force for actors, for one thing. The script has incredible depth and layers – so beautifully written.?Also it was one of those scripts that just kept surprising me as I read it. It kept me intrigued
Q:?Are there any particular challenges in this show you’re looking forward to tackling?
Not particularly. I’m excited about the scenic elements that our scenographer, Lynnie Horrigan, is bringing to it. And the actors are phenomenal. It’s really fulfilling to work with a group of such experienced actors, and really dig into the layers of this play.
Q:?What do you hope audiences come away with as the leave the theatre?
The play is about families and stories. We all have different perspectives on our past – even those of us that grew up in the same home. What is truth? Do we have a right to tell our stories when those stories involve other people?
Our light board died!
We bought the board (used) in 1999 and it has served us well these 15 years….but, alas, it has crossed over into the great theatre in the sky.
Perhaps you were at one of the performances over the last year when the lights suddenly went out!…..then came back on! Annoying, huh? We sure thought so.
But our NEW light board doesn’t do that. (Well, except when we program it to.)
Isn’t it pretty?
The new equipment (again, purchased used) dug pretty deep into our pockets. We could also use a whole array of new lighting cable and other equipment to bring our aging lighting system up to par.
We would love it if you could dig into your pockets and help us out…we are hoping to raise about $3,000 by the end of October to take care of all of the above.
How can you help?
Send a check to us at: PO Box 8125, Eureka, CA 95502
or
click here and donate to us via PayPal?(it’s quick, safe and secure)
or
slip us some untraceable cash when you see us at the theatre.
With our sincerest thanks,
Clint, Peggy, and the Board of Redwood Curtain Theatre
