What's OTHER DESERT CITIES about?
It's a very funny but deeply wrenching play about a family being "outed" by one of its youngest members who is about to air their dirty laundry in a memoir which is soon to be published. It's Christmas time and the family has gathered to open presents and... read the as-yet-unpublished manuscript...
Do you have trouble keeping secrets?
I think I am a great secret keeper. But if the secret is a juicy one, I like to give a lot of hints.
What character do you play and how does she fit into the family?
I play Silda. She is -- or in actor talk -- I am the alcoholic, lefty sister of the much more straight-laced, Republican Polly. I'm kind of a sniper, firing witty acerbic missiles into the family ring and waiting for them to detonate.
What's your favorite line in the play?
"Honey, Newsflash: You're not a Texan, you're a Jew!"
or
"I smell pot... give it!"
Can you relate to the family dynamics in the play?
Yes, oh yes. And, yes. I think the reason the play is so powerful is that it hits upon themes, American themes, which we can all relate to. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away the plot (God forbid) but there is so much in this play that is both hilarious and tragic that I have actually experienced, that working on it has been slightly gut-wrenching. But it's also been fun as hell. ‘Cuz it's a very funny play. And the cast and Director are terrific!
It's a very funny but deeply wrenching play about a family being "outed" by one of its youngest members who is about to air their dirty laundry in a memoir which is soon to be published. It's Christmas time and the family has gathered to open presents and... read the as-yet-unpublished manuscript...
Do you have trouble keeping secrets?
I think I am a great secret keeper. But if the secret is a juicy one, I like to give a lot of hints.
What character do you play and how does she fit into the family?
I play Silda. She is -- or in actor talk -- I am the alcoholic, lefty sister of the much more straight-laced, Republican Polly. I'm kind of a sniper, firing witty acerbic missiles into the family ring and waiting for them to detonate.
What's your favorite line in the play?
"Honey, Newsflash: You're not a Texan, you're a Jew!"
or
"I smell pot... give it!"
Can you relate to the family dynamics in the play?
Yes, oh yes. And, yes. I think the reason the play is so powerful is that it hits upon themes, American themes, which we can all relate to. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to give away the plot (God forbid) but there is so much in this play that is both hilarious and tragic that I have actually experienced, that working on it has been slightly gut-wrenching. But it's also been fun as hell. ‘Cuz it's a very funny play. And the cast and Director are terrific!
