Other Desert Cities: "impeccably-cast production"

This week on drama on the waterfront, we meet the cast of Other Desert Cities.

“I so much enjoyed Baitz’s play … the twists and turns are carefully exploited as each character creates their own history with such insight. I’d like to tell you what unfolded because it was that exciting. Don’t miss this one… it’s gripping!” said reviewer Kate Spencer about Other Desert Cities.

“Astutely crafted to explode secrets”, said John Smythe of Theatreview about “this impeccably - cast Circa production directed by Ross Jolly.”

So, lets meet this “amazing cast”:

Catherine Downes - Polly Wyeth

“I play the matriarch, Polly, who feels to me like somewhat of a 'Mother Courage' type of person, hauling the wagon and protecting the baggage that is her family. And she does this with wit, panache and staunch - What a great trip! 'Desert Cities' is provocative, heart- rending, challenging - and fun!”

Catherine is one of NZ’s finest theatrical talents, working in theatre, film and television on both sides of the Tasman as an actress, director and playwright. Recent Wellington performances: Four Flat Whites In Italy, A Shortcut to Happiness, The Year of Magical Thinking and Talking of Katherine Mansfield.

Michelle Langstone - Brooke Wyeth

“I just love this play. I love the rhythm and dynamism of the relationships. There is so much history present in every word the characters say to one another. Other Desert Cities is funny and sad, and that's my favourite kind of play. I'm very happy to be making my Circa debut with this production.”

With a starry, award-winning CV from both sides of the Tasman, Michelle is best known for her roles in the TV programmes The Almighty Johnsons, (Love Goddess Michele), and Go Girls (Sarah Bennett). Her recent stage roles include The Lover, and Under Milk Wood (Silo). Other Desert Cities marks Michelle's professional theatrical debut in Wellington.

Jeffrey Thomas - Lyman Wyeth

“Rehearsing this play has proven to be exceptionally enjoyable. Other Desert Cities, like so many great American plays, tells a fascinating and intriguing story. My favourite kind of theatre.”

Jeffrey is well-loved by Circa audiences, having appeared in many plays including The Cherry Orchard, Uncle Vanya, August: Osage County, All My Sons and Tribes - to name but a few. And he's enjoyed every minute of it. He also recently featured in The Hobbit – playing the Dwarf king Thror.

Paul Waggott - Trip Wyeth

"It's been such a blast working on such a great script and with such great people. There's something special going on!"

Working regularly at both BATS and Circa theatres, Paul was winner of the Most Promising Male Newcomer at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards 2010. Paul‘s recent work includes Tribes, Red, Eight, West End Girls, Clybourne Park, A Play about Space, and most recently A Play about Fear.

Emma Kinane - Aunt Silda

“A great role, an awesome bunch of people, and working with an awesome script – what more can I say!”

Emma’s versatility means she can be found acting, singing, and writing for film, radio and stage. And she has won awards in all fields! Her recent performances include All My Sons, Tribes (nominated Best Supporting Actress Chapman Tripp awards), No Naughty Bits, Pasefika, and the cult musical, Dead Tragic, (Emma’s favourite singing role - channelling various pop stars), which has a return season later this year at Circa.

 Other Desert Cities is on in Circa One until 17 May. To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

 Other Desert Cities production photos by Stephen A'Court.

Other Desert Cities: A Family History Lush in Secrets

Jon Robin Baitz’s funny, fierce, and immensely entertaining Other Desert Cities was one of the hottest tickets in New York. Baitz, creator of hit TV series, Brothers & Sisters, took America by storm with his Broadway debut. Nominated for five Tony Awards, this award-winning play, which has just opened to rave reviews in London, now makes its New Zealand premiere at Circa, opening on Saturday 19^th April, with a stellar cast of CATHERINE DOWNES (The Year of Magical Thinking), MICHELLE LANGSTONE (The Almighty Johnsons), JEFFREY THOMAS (The Hobbit), EMMA KINANE (Tribes), and PAUL WAGGOTT (Red).

Baitz talks about himself and Other Desert Cities in this PBS Art Beat interview from last year:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/other-desert-cities/

Some background on JON ROBIN BAITZ:

Jon Robin Baitz is a celebrated American playwright and is perhaps best known in this country for his internationally successful TV series, Brothers and Sisters, about a wealthy Californian family who grapple with love, loss and living in the modern age, which ran for five seasons.  Other TV work includes PBS’s version of Three Hotels, for which he won the Humanitas Award, and episodes of West Wing and Alias. He is also the author of two screenplays; the film script for The Substance of Fire(1996), and People I Know (2002).

Baitz’s  is a founding member of Naked Angels Theatre Company, and on the faculties of the Master of Fine Arts program at The New School for Drama, New York, where he is Artistic Director of the BFA division, and is also visiting professor at University of Southern California's Master of Professional Writing program. His version of the Australian TV mini-series, The Slap begins filming for NBC this Summer.

His plays include Other Desert Cities (Pulitzer Prize Finalist 2012, Tony Nominee, Drama League Award, Outer Critics Circle Award), The Film Society, The End Of The Day, Three Hotels, A Fair Country (Pulitzer Prize finalist 1996),  Mizlansky/Zilinsky, Ten Unknowns, and The Paris Letter, as well as a version of Hedda Gabler (Broadway, 2001). He is the recipient of a Rockefeller Foundation Award, a Drama Desk Award, is a Guggenheim Fellow, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for both A Fair Country and Other Desert Cities. 

Other Desert Cities opens in Circa One on 19 April and runs until 17 May. There will be a $25 Preview on Friday, 18 April, and $25 Special on Sunday, 20 April. To book, visit www.circa.co.nz or call 801-7992.

All My Sons: 'a compelling story with a collection of complex, finely drawn characters'

The actors playing the four leading characters in the Arthur Miller classic All My Sons tell drama on the waterfront their reactions to being in the play.

(L to R) Jessica Robinson, Richard Dey, Jeffrey Thomas and Emma Kinane in All My Sons. Photo by Stephen A'Court.

Jeffrey Thomas plays Joe Keller

“I've done a lot of plays at Circa over the years and there are some that I tend to group together - like Chekhov. What do you call such a group? A number? A series? Yes, I've done a series of Chekhov plays and now I seem to be embarked on a series of great American plays. Last year it was August: Osage County, this year All My Sons. The might of Hollywood is such that it tends to overshadow American theatre. These two plays are breathtaking reminders that there are American plays that rightfully deserve to be called "classics" and Arthur Miller is a playwright who gives his characters some wonderful speeches to perform. I just wish things could have worked out better for him and Marilyn.”

Recently seen                                

Circa plays - Mauritius, Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Winslow Boy, August: Osage County

Television - Spartacus.

You may not know … he’s playing the Dwarf King Thror in The Hobbit.

Emma Kinane plays Kate Keller (Joe’s wife)

“Everything about this show is huge; the emotions of the characters, the legacy of the play and the playwright, the production values, the size of the cast and, of course, the audience expectation.  Pretty scary stuff. 

Vintage is in!  It is such a luxury to dabble in 40s fashions and hair.  Paul Jenden has already made two gorgeous dresses that I feel fabulous in - high waists, big shoulders and huge full skirts - you really know you're wearing a dress, you know?  And this weekend I've been playing at home with curlers and setting lotion, experimenting with the best way to get those 40s soft wavy curls.  It's looking so good right now I'm tempted to keep it like this after the show finishes, but I know I won't... it's fun for now, but it's too much work for everyday.  I don't know how they did it.  I guess it had something to do with not having Facebook...”.

Recently seen

Stage - Lonely Heart, Fuddy Meers, Sex Drive

Television – Outrageous Fortune

You may not know … Emma has a feral chihuahua called Phoebe.

Richard Dey plays Chris Keller (their son)

"There is something about Miller. He once said he could not imagine a theatre worth his time that did not want to change the world. It is that sharp passion for theatre that I feel involved in, in being part of this production. I love Miller’s dislike and almost rejection of the 'American Dream' and his insight into the idea that we are all our brothers’ keepers. I am extremely privileged to be part of such an incredible cast and an incredible play." 

Recently seen

Stage - Tinderbox, The Thirty – Nine Steps, Salon, Entertaining Mr. Sloane

You may not know …  this is Richard’s debut on Circa’s main stage

Jessica Robinson plays Ann Deever (Chris’ fiancé)

“I feel very lucky to be working on this production of All My Sons. This is the kind of play that made me want to be an actor – a compelling story with a collection of complex, finely drawn characters. I feel just as lucky to be working with such a great cast including Dino Casanidis and Beck Taylor who play Burt; it's the first time I've been in a play with a child in the cast.”

Recently seen

Stage -  Our Man in Havana, Eight, Aladdin, Live at Six, The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later

You may not know …  Jessica can sometimes be found singing in cabaret shows around Wellington.


All My Sons opens in Circa One on 2 June and runs until 7 July, with a $25 Preview on 1 June and a $25 Special Sunday on 3 June. To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.