New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Theater to Go presents "Other Desert Cities" at Kelsey Theatre

originally published: 05/05/2023

Parker Madison, David Williams, Peggy Waldron, Dara Lewis

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Theater to Go in partnership with Kelsey Theatre presents Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, in a production produced and directed by Ruth Markoe. The play will run for two weekends from May 26- June 4. It is a story of an American family and what drives them apart and keeps them together. Set in upscale and conservative Palm Springs California in 2004, Brooke Wyeth returns home after a six-year absence to celebrate Christmas with her family.

Brooke announces 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. Her wealthy Republican parents, former friends of the Reagans and stalwarts of their local country club, are wary and suspicious Her brother Trip won't play her game and her Aunt Silda knows way too much. Her parents fall into all their old routines as they plead with her to keep their story quiet. In this family, secrets are currency, and everyone is rich.

Other Desert Cities was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist and a 2012 Nominee for 5 Tony awards. Ben Brantley of the NY Times called it "A witty and deeply enjoyable family drama. The most richly enjoyable new play for grownups."

The Wyeth family is portrayed by David Williams and Peggy Waldron as Lyman and Polly, the parents. Dara Lewis and Parker Madison as Brooke and Trip, their children, and Susan Schwirck as their aunt Silda the busybody recovering alcoholic.

Directed and produuced by Ruth Markoe, the creative team includes, Ron Lasky (stage manager), Haley Schmalbach (Set design), Kitty Getlik (lighting design), Eeric Collins (sound design), Ruth and Melissa Rittmann (costumes).




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



Performances take place Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 2:00pm at Kelsey Theatre in West Windsor NJ on the campus of Mercer County Community College. Tickets are $20-22 and can be purchased online at www.KelseyTheatre.org

Theater To Go, under the leadership of Ruth Markoe, began in 1992 and has been providing quality entertainment in NJ and regionally since then. It is best known for audience participation murder mysteries and other interactive comedy theater and now produces full length plays and staged readings. In addition to the interactive comedy murder mysteries, Theatre To Go has been among the resident companies at Kelsey Theatre producing such plays as To Kill a Mockingbird, A Raisin in the Sun, Room Service, Cabaret, and Dial M for Murder, a runner up in the 2022 Broadway World Regional Awards for Best Play and Best Director. Most recently Ruth Markoe produced and directed The Fantasticks at Kelsey Theatre.




New Jersey Stage provides affordable advertising for the arts, click here for info



 

EVENT PREVIEWS

LoMotion

LoMotion Live presents "The Devil and Daisy Dirt" - A Garden State Gothic Event

(BOONTON, NJ) -- LoMotion Live presents a brand-new theatrical experience, The Devil and Daisy Dirt, featuring live music, a life-sized puppet, and a deep dive into New Jersey's most intriguing lore. The performance takes place Saturday, April 26, 2025 at The Parsippany Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.



Vivid

Vivid Stage to present Gemstones Episode 6

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- Vivid Stage, in residence at Oakes Center (120 Morris Avenue) in Summit, is celebrating its 30th Anniversary season, marking decades of bringing contemporary theatre to audiences in the state of New Jersey. Coming up is the sixth episode of the original series, Gemstones, by Phoebe Farber. Episode 6 runs Saturday, April 26 at 8:00pm and Sunday, April 27, 2025 at 2:00pm.



Two

Two River Theater presents "¡VOS!"

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater's season continues with ¡VOS!, a World Premiere debut by the powerful new voice, Christina Pumariega (Joan Dark), directed by Nicole A. Watson (Jocelyn Bioh's School Girls, Artistic Director of Playwrights Center in Minneapolis) is an exhilarating quest for justice, family and home. Performances will run in the Marion Huber Theater April 5-27, 2025.



MPAC

MPAC presents the Murder Mystery Comedy "CLUE"

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- CLUE, the hilarious murder mystery comedy inspired by the Hasbro board game and adapted from the fan-favorite film, comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) Friday-Sunday, April 25-27, 2025.



Avenel

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show

(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show from April 25-27, 2025. In this hilarious audience participation comedy, you will step back in time into a world of Bell Bottoms, Long Hair, Flower Power, & Groovy Tunes.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Deathtrap

Deathtrap

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 6:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: theatre


 

Vivid

Vivid Stage presents "Gemstones" by Phoebe Farber

Saturday, April 26, 2025 @ 8:00pm
Oakes Center
120 Morris Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
category: theatre


 

Deathtrap

Deathtrap

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 2:00pm
Grunin Center - Black Box Theater
1 College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
category: theatre


 

The

The Super 70’s Prom! Dinner Theater Show

Sunday, April 27, 2025 @ 3:00pm
Avenel Performing Arts Center
150 Avenel Street, Avenel, NJ 07001
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info