Lincoln Center Theater produced the premiere of Baitz's play to acclaim Off-Broadway last winter at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. A lack of available Broadway theatres made an immediate Broadway transfer impossible this spring, leaving LCT to aim for a fall bow. Opening night is scheduled for Nov. 3.
As previous reported, Linda Lavin, who originated the role of acidic alcoholic aunt Silda Grauman in the Off-Broadway production, will not be part of the Broadway cast. Lavin will instead appear in the world premiere of Nicky Silver's The Lyons at the Vineyard Theatre. Her role will now be played by Emmy winner Judith Light, who received a Tony nomination last season for her performance in Lombardi.
Also new to the cast will be "Brothers & Sisters" star Rachel Griffiths, who will play the role of Brooke Wyeth, portrayed by Elizabeth Marvel Off-Broadway. Film offers, according to the New York Times, precluded Marvel from being part of the Broadway production.
Griffiths, who will be making her Broadway debut, and Light will join returning cast members Stockard Channing (Six Degrees of Separation, The House of Blue Leaves), Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Indians, "Hemingway") and Tony Award nominee Thomas Sadoski (Reasons to Be Pretty). Joe Mantello directs.
Other Desert Cities centers on a shamed Republican family who buries a crime committed by their eldest son, only to have their daughter return home with news of an explosive memoir. The Broadway production will reunite Lincoln Center Theater's original design team: John Lee Beatty (sets), David Zinn (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lighting), Jill BC DuBoff (sound) and Justin Ellington (original music).
Baitz's plays include The Paris Letter, Ten Unknowns, Mizlansky/Zilinsky or Schmucks, A Fair Country, The Film Society, The Substance of Fire, The End of the Day and Three Hotels. He has also written the screenplays for "The Substance of Fire" and "People I Know" as well as for TV's "Brothers & Sisters" (which he created), "The West Wing" and "Alias."
Tickets, priced $56.50-$126.50 will be available beginning Aug. 14 at telecharge.com or by visiting www.lct.org. A limited number of tickets priced $31.50 will be available at every performance through LincTix, LCT's new program for 21 to 35 year olds. For information and to enroll, visit LincTix.org.
