08/15/2026
Carbonell Awards, Inc. salutes Bridge Across the Pond Theatre, the newish company dedicated to presenting American and British plays. Now running through August 30 at Empire Stage in Fort Lauderdale is the wickedly witty OTHER DESERT CITIES, written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by theatre co-founder Gary Solomons. Set on Christmas Eve 2004 in the sunny Palm Springs home of a wealthy, well-connected, uber-conservative couple reminiscent of Ronald & Nancy Reagan in retirement, admirably embodied by Dan Levine and Michele Verdi. They are visited by two of their children, a successful producer of a trashy TV show (Mark Hernandez) and an emotionally troubled writer (Ana Marie Calise) about to publish a tell-all confessional attacking her parents for rejecting their first born who participated in a deadly anti-war bombing. Also on hand is a snarky, newly sober aunt (Lory Reyes). As Tolstoy declared, "each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way," and this contentious California clan is particularly unhappy indeed, as they soggily snarl and snipe and slowly reveal long-hidden secrets. The crackling dialogue is well delivered by this praise-worthy cast, who are enhanced by the design team of Eric Fields and Preston Bircher. Support professional theatre in South Florida and catch this enjoyable, hackle-raising production by a welcome addition to our booming theatre community.