Production Sponsor: George C. Lancaster
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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)
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.
MALINDA L. BECKHAM, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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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.
“excitingly superb”
Photos by Olivia Knight
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”
MEET THE CAST
“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.”
CAST
CREATIVE TEAM
Scenic Design & Technical Director
Tanya
Miss Ruby
Ensemble
Krista
Sissy Na Na
Ensemble
Co-director, Costume & Properties Design
Co-director
Production Manager
Lighting Design
Ensemble
Ensemble
Sound Design
Bait Boy
Wayne
Terry
Ensemble
Zoe
Francis
Ensemble
Photographer
Scenic Artist
CREW
Production Stage Manager
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.
Fight Director
Intimacy Director