Other Desert Cities Returns to Broadway on October 18

Other Desert Cities: what opens and when

Jon Robin Baitz's play Other Desert Cities opens its first Broadway revival on October 18, 2026 at the Hudson Theater in Manhattan. John Benjamin Hickey directs a new five-member cast, according to New York Theater. The same source has republished its two reviews of the original 2011 production, which is useful if you want to know the story's shape before you buy. Expect a family drama about memory and politics, not a musical. For a traveler, this slots neatly into a Midtown theater trip: book on the show's official site, and check the Hudson Theater's own calendar for exact performance times. Do not rely on third-party resale sites for a production that has not opened yet.

The Hope Theory at New York City Center

If your dates do not match Other Desert Cities, consider The Hope Theory. Playbill calls it a critically acclaimed magic show from Helder Guimarães and Jurassic Park producer Frank Marshall, playing at New York City Center. It is a smaller-scale evening than a Broadway musical, and City Center sits in Midtown, so you can pair it with a pre-theater meal nearby. Check Playbill's write-up for the five reasons it recommends, then book directly with the venue.

Practical booking notes

Fall is a busy theater window in New York. Book as soon as your flights are fixed, especially for a show with a fixed opening date. If the revival extends or transfers, that news usually comes after opening night, so buy for the week you are actually in town rather than gambling on a later date. Both shows are in Manhattan, which makes a same-day double bill possible only if you pick an early curtain and a late magic show. In practice, choose one and give it a full evening.