Production Sponsor: George C. Lancaster

VIEW THE PROGRAM

SEASON 10 | 2025–2026

written by Lisa D'Amour

directed by Malinda L. Beckham & Curtis Barber

REGIONAL PREMIERE

MAY 22 ‒ JUNE 6, 2026

MATCH | Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston

THIS EVENT HAS PASSED

RUNTIME: 2 hrs
(one intermission)

The Story

A group of people living on the fringes of society face their personal struggles and chase elusive dreams in Lisa D’Amour’s vibrant, poignant, and darkly comedic dive into the gritty underbelly and vibrancy of New Orleans.

Set in a dilapidated motel off the bustling Airline Highway, a group of misfits has formed their own unconventional family. They come together to honor and celebrate the life of Miss Ruby, a beloved community figure and former exotic dancer, as she nears the end of her life. With a palette of raw honesty and unapologetic humor, the play paints a portrait of those who inhabit the edges of the city’s allure, offering a mix of humor and heart as they navigate life’s complexities, and create a family in the most unexpected and overlooked places.

A group of people living on the fringes of society face their personal struggles and chase elusive dreams in Lisa D’Amour’s vibrant, poignant, and darkly comedic dive into the gritty underbelly and vibrancy of New Orleans. Set in a dilapidated motel off the bustling Airline Highway, a group of outcasts has formed their own unconventional family. They come together to honor and celebrate the life of Miss Ruby, a beloved community figure and former exotic dancer, as she nears the end of her life. With a palette of raw honesty and unapologetic humor, the play paints a portrait of those who inhabit the edges of the city’s allure, offering a mix of humor and heart as they navigate life’s complexities, and create a family in the most unexpected and overlooked places.

The Story

The Reason

MALINDA L. BECKHAM, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

WHY THIS PLAY?

We offer Airline Highway by Lisa D'Amour because the play offers a vivid, raw portrayal of life on the margins of society, highlighting the resilience, complexity, and interconnectedness of people living in a community often overlooked by mainstream narratives. With its rich character-driven storytelling, Airline Highway explores themes of belonging, identity, and the ways in which individuals create families in unconventional ways—issues that are especially poignant in today's increasingly fragmented world.

WHY NOW?

As conversations about class, community, and social justice continue to take center stage, Airline Highway provides an important opportunity to reflect on the lives of those who navigate society's fringes, often ignored or misunderstood. The play’s blend of humor, tenderness, and dark realism makes it a timely exploration of human connection and survival in the face of adversity.

In a time when many are questioning what it means to belong or be seen, Airline Highway invites audiences into the world of a group of outcasts and dreamers who, despite their struggles, find ways to support and love one another. The vibrant, unflinching look at New Orleans and its inhabitants provides a powerful and relatable examination of resilience, hope, and the human spirit.

star-solid
star-solid

“excitingly superb”

Photos by Olivia Knight

The Reviews

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READ THE HOUSTON PRESS REVIEW

READ THE BROADWAYWORLD HOUSTON REVIEW

READ THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REVIEW

Blackbird is “raw and challenging, and this production, just like Una, demands not just to be seen or heard, but to be reckoned with.”

“The entire production is hard, edgy, and raw... Everything is thought through and is in perfect concert with the two actors. ”

A “riveting production... ‘Blackbird’ features stellar performances that go for the jugular and never let up.”

CAR TAKES WITH DEBORAH AND JOEL

“A tasty piece full of really wonderful, eccentric characters”

The Reviews

The Promotion

MEET THE CAST

The Reaction

“A master class in acting and directing. A beautiful script, stellar evening in the theater. ”

“Congratulations on another stellar show.”

“Great hard work by this determined cast.”

“Kudos to everyone on an ambitious production.”

“If you are looking for a show to go see this is one you don’t want to miss.”

“Awesomely wonderful production.”

Airline Highway Team

CAST

CREATIVE TEAM

Elizabeth Marshall Black

Deborah Hope*

Helen Rios

Ashlyn Evans

Todd Thigpen

Justin Morgan Brown

John Patterson

Scenic Design & Technical Director

Tanya

Miss Ruby

Ensemble

Krista

Sissy Na Na

Ensemble

Malinda L. Beckham

Curtis Barber

Mark A. Lewis

Co-director, Costume & Properties Design

Co-director

John Baker

Ash Parra

Adina Opalek

Valerie Lerma Puente

Trevor B. Cone

Kyle Clark

Brad Goertz

Dave Osbie Shepard

Amira Judeh

Morgan Taylor Hughs

Avery Vonn Kenyatta

Production Manager

Lighting Design

Ensemble

Ensemble

Sound Design

Bait Boy

Wayne

Terry

Ensemble

Zoe

Francis

Ensemble

Gary Griffin

Charly Topper

Photographer

Scenic Artist

CREW

Barbara Alicea-Aponte

Production Stage Manager

Valerie Lerma Puente

Assistant Stage Manager

* The Actor appears through the courtesy of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

Kyle Clark

Fight Director

Deborah Hope

Intimacy Director