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Rachel Griffiths Signs on to Star in ‘Other Desert Cities’

Rachel Griffiths Signs on to Star in ‘Other Desert Cities’

Rachel Griffiths has committed to taking over the role of Brooke Wyeth in Broadway’s upcoming transfer ‘Other Desert Cities.’ It is a role recently left vacant by Elizabeth Marvel who won over critics with her portrayal Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center Theatre. Marvel choose to pursue film opportunities in Hollywood and the UK rather than following her creation to theatre’s biggest stage.

This will mark Rachel Griffiths debut on Broadway. She is perhaps best know for her work as Sarah on the recently cancelled ABC drama ‘Brothers and Sisters’ as well as emotionally damaged Brenda on HBO’s acclaimed ‘Six Feet Under.’ She won a Golden Globe and Emmy nomination for her work on ‘Six Feet Under’ and nominations for ‘Brothers & Sisters.’ ‘Other Desert Cities’ will reunite Griffiths with the creator of ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ Jon Robin Baitz. This play is Baitz first original work to grace the Broadway stage though he did adapt ‘Hedda Gabler’ for the stage as well as write several Off-Broadway productions.

The play centers on a writer who returns home over the holidays to shock her ultra-conservative parents by revealing to them she’s written a tell-all book about their family. Dysfunction junction promptly ensues. In addition to Griffiths, Judith Light (Lombardi, Who’s the Boss) plays Brooke’s aunt, Stockard Channing (Joe Egg) Brooke’s mother and Stacey Keach (Reasons to be Pretty) takes on the role of the father. Channing and Keach are holdovers from the Off-Broadway production while Light takes over for Linda Lavin who leaves to star in the upcoming Nick Silver Off-Broadway comedy ‘The Lyons.’

‘Other Desert Cities’ is set to open at the Booth Theatre on November 3 with previews starting October 12. Joe Mantello (Wicked) will direct the play. Mantello was recently nominated for a Tony for his acting work in the recently departed Broadway production ‘The Normal Heart.’