Rachel Griffiths to make Broadway Debut in 'Other Desert Cities'

Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities will transfer to Broadway in the fall, with Rachel Griffiths and Judith Light joining original cast members from the play’s hit Off Broadway run last Winter.

Griffiths previously worked with the playwright on ABC’s Brothers & Sisters, which was created and executive produced by Baitz until his abrupt exit at the end of the show’s first season. Light (Ugly Betty) is coming off her Tony-nominated performance in Lombardi on Broadway.

They join an ensemble that also includes Stockard Channing, Stacy Keach and Thomas Sadoski in the Lincoln Center Theater production, directed by Joe Mantello.

The acerbic comedy-drama chronicles a Christmas gathering at the Palm Springs home of an old-guard Republican couple who are former members of the Reagans’ inner circle. The holiday reunion is soured when a forthcoming memoir by their novelist daughter, played by Griffiths, threatens to blow the dust off buried family secrets.

The play begins previews Oct. 12 at the Booth Theatre, with official opening set for Nov. 3. Griffiths will be making her Broadway debut in the production.