Star-Studded 'Other Desert Cities' Revival Divides Critics Amid Box Office Success
Jon Robin Baitz’s 2010 play 'Other Desert Cities' returns to the Hudson Theatre with a star-studded cast led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in her Broadway debut. While the production is a massive box-office success, critical reception is sharply divided, with some praising the cast's chemistry and others criticizing the dated material and uneven direction.
Key points
- The revival features Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, Lily Rabe, and Joe Keery, marking Louis-Dreyfus's return to the stage after decades in television.
- The production has been a top grosser, joining the $2 Million Club in its first full week of previews, despite mixed critical reviews.
- Critics are split on the play's relevance, with some finding the 2004 setting timely for current political divides, while others argue the material feels dated and relies on outdated humor.
- Joe Keery receives universal acclaim for his role as Trip, while the direction by John Benjamin Hickey is praised by some for its staging but criticized by others for lacking dramatic weight.
Background
The play originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2011 before transferring to Broadway, where it was a finalist for the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It centers on a family with opposing political views and a long-held secret, with the 2004 setting reflecting the political climate of the time.
How outlets are covering it
The New York Times and The Guardian praise the cast's chemistry and Louis-Dreyfus's debut, with The Guardian noting the play's timely relevance to current political divides. In contrast, Vulture criticizes the play as dated and reliant on outdated humor, while The Hollywood Reporter (mentioned in archive) criticizes the uneven direction and lack of dramatic weight. Joe Keery is universally praised across outlets for his performance.
Why it matters
The revival highlights the tension between commercial success and critical reception in Broadway, with a star-studded cast drawing audiences despite mixed reviews. It also underscores the ongoing debate about the relevance of older plays in the current political climate.
What to watch
The limited engagement will continue through January 17, 2027, at the Hudson Theatre. The production's box office success may influence future revivals of classic plays, while critical reception may impact its long-term legacy.
- Other Desert Cities Has Dried Up and Blown Away Vulture
- ‘Other Desert Cities’ Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Smashing Debut The New York Times
- Other Desert Cities review – Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Ed Harris shine in timely Broadway revival The Guardian
- Reviews: What Do the Critics Think of Other Desert Cities on Broadway? Playbill
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 65, reveals dramatic gray-haired transformation Yahoo
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