Other Desert Cities review: Julia Louis‑Dreyfus's Broadway debut

tvOct 19, 20261375

At the Hudson Theatre, Julia Louis-Dreyfus makes her Broadway debut in Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities in a starry revival staged by John Benjamin Hickey. Louis-Dreyfus plays Polly, opposite Ed Harris as patriarch Lyman and Allison Janney as Silda, with Lily Rabe as Brooke and Joe Keery in his stage debut as Trip. The play, set in 2004, centers on Brooke returning to her parents’ Palm Springs home with a memoir that reopens a family wound: one son’s involvement in a domestic terror attack and subsequent death. Critics largely praised the cast, with reviewers calling Louis-Dreyfus’s turns icily precise, Harris heartbreakingly patrician, and Keery a notable revelation. Several reviews faulted the production for the script’s dated or predictable elements and questioned whether the revival makes the play fully relevant to today. The run’s casting milestone and strong performances are driving attention to the production this holiday season and will shape its critical and commercial reception through the Broadway run.

Craig Winston

@craigwinston.bsky.social

On @mollyjongfast.bsky.social's Fast Politics Frank Rich quoting Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Veep "We started out as a scathing satire and ended up as a sobering documentary."

43Yesterday

Richard Lawson

@rilaws.bsky.social

I have bad news about Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Broadway debut, I'm afraid

102h ago

HELL Kennedy4

I usually disagree with at least half of a critic's review but I'm with you on every single point here. I went excited to see everyone but Keery and he's the only one that knocked my socks off. And the sepia toned Bush years seem almost quaint now that we are in the middle of a conflagration.

jfd8.bsky.social1

Not bad news on all fronts www.theguardian.com/stage/2026/o...

The Wall Street Journal

@wsj.com

The actress gives a fiercely funny performance alongside Ed Harris and Allison Janney in a revival of Jon Robin Baitz’s play about a family conflict in California. on.wsj.com/4yVMWzP

63h ago

Adam Feldman

@feldmanadam.bsky.social

Broadway review: Other Desert Cities sells Julia Louis-Dreyfus to the highest bidders www.timeout.com/newyork/news...

62h ago

Ho! Ho! Holiday Viewing!

@sleepykittypaw.bsky.social

"My goal, I’ve joked to myself for the next 105 or whatever shows, is to save Christmas.” Joe Keery on his first Broadway role, in the holiday-set OTHER DESERT CITIES. This is *such* an amazing cast, hope some outlet planning on filming performance. www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...

5Yesterday

Vulture

@vulture.com

Nuanced performances from Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Allison Janney, and Ed Harris can’t cover for a dated, predictable play.

33h ago

Charlie Reece ✅

@charliereece.com

Whoa it’s intermission at Other Desert Cities and Lily Rabe is blowing the doors off the theater in an incredibly stacked cast — Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Ed Harris, Allison Janney & Joe Keery. Soooooooo good!!0

2Yesterday

Irish News 🇮🇪

@news-flows-ir.bsky.social

Other Desert Cities review – Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Ed Harris shine in timely Broadway revival Hudson Theatre, New YorkAllison Janney and Joe Keery co-star in a powerful drama about a family reunion turned political minefieldJust in time for the holidays, Jon Robin Baitz’s family reunion...

3h ago

Mike Ensminger Fan Account

@laplanck.bsky.social

How you gonna write a play called “Other Desert Cities” and not set it in Blythe

1h ago

Margot Sibley

@margotsibley25.bsky.social

Photos: Julia Louis-Dreyfus Makes Her Broadway Debut in Other Desert Cities share.google/VpSYWaLoSX8v...

Yesterday

GulPedia

@infopedia801.bsky.social

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was Larry David’s first choice for Elaine on Seinfeld—but she nearly said no. What made her hesitate before accepting a role that would define her career?

16h ago

The Right News, Right Now.

@porcellato.bsky.social

‘Other Desert Cities’ review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Allison Janney’s play has laughs, but no bite https://ift.tt/tVnI98i

3h ago

Daniel Thomas

@daniele-thomas.bsky.social

https://dan-showbiz.blogspot.com/2026/10/other-desert-cities-broadway-review.html ‘Other Desert Cities’ Broadway Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris and Allison Janney Lead a Resounding Family Drama #showbiz #sports #celebrities #lifestyle

2h ago

3 sources

theguardian.comOther Desert Cities review – Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Ed Harris shine in timely Broadway revival on.wsj.com‘Other Desert Cities’ Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Slashing Wit on Broadway hollywoodreporter.com‘Other Desert Cities’ Theater Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris and Allison Janney Fail to Make a Once-Timely Play Relevant Again

Other Desert Cities review: Julia Louis‑Dreyfus's Broadway debuttv

Other Desert Cities review: Julia Louis‑Dreyfus's Broadway debut

Related