Other Desert Cities

As part of the FASMA 2026 program, audiences are invited to experience Other Desert Cities, the acclaimed play by American playwright Jon Robin Baitz. Widely celebrated for its emotional depth and masterful dialogue, this compelling family drama explores the secrets, memories, and unresolved conflicts that shape relationships across generations.

Set during a family gathering, the story follows a successful writer who returns home with plans to publish a memoir revealing painful events from her family's past. What begins as a holiday reunion gradually unfolds into an emotionally charged confrontation, as long-buried truths emerge and each family member is forced to confront their own version of history, loyalty, and love.

About the Play

Renowned for its exceptional writing, Other Desert Cities offers an intimate portrait of a family struggling with the lasting impact of grief, political ideals, personal sacrifice, and emotional silence. Jon Robin Baitz crafts a sophisticated drama in which every conversation reveals new layers of character, challenging audiences to consider how memory and truth are often shaped by perspective.

Balancing emotional intensity with moments of wit and tenderness, the play explores universal themes including forgiveness, generational conflict, identity, resilience, and the enduring complexity of family bonds. Each revelation deepens the audience's understanding of the characters while highlighting the fragile nature of personal and collective memory.

Praised by critics and audiences around the world, Other Desert Cities has become one of the defining works of contemporary American theatre, admired for its elegant storytelling, psychological insight, and powerful emotional resonance.

What You Will Discover

• An acclaimed contemporary drama by Jon Robin Baitz.
• A deeply moving story of family, memory, and reconciliation.
• Complex characters confronting long-hidden truths.
• Brilliant dialogue filled with intelligence, wit, and emotional depth.
• One of the most celebrated works of modern American theatre.

Other Desert Cities is an unforgettable theatrical experience that examines how the secrets we keep can shape generations. Rich in emotional complexity and masterfully written, it offers a profound reflection on love, forgiveness, identity, and the enduring power of family.