Other Desert Cities

Elizabeth Marvel plays the liberal daughter of wealthy Reaganite parents (Stockard Channing and Stacy Keach) in Jon Robin Baitz's politicized family drama, which slathers all the usual dysfunctional-family tropes in a smug liberal sauce. There are fiery speeches and well-turned banter, and Joe Mantello’s astute direction and faultless cast help paper over the script’s tinniness. But all the characters talk alike, and the stakes feel low.—David Cote