Airline Highway (play)

Airline Highway
Written by Lisa D'Amour
Characters
  • Miss Ruby
  • Sissy Na Na
  • Bait Boy
  • Zoe
  • Tanya
  • Wayne
  • Krista
  • Terry
  • Francis
  • Ensemble
Date premiered December 4, 2014 (2014-12-04)
Place premiered Steppenwolf Theatre
Chicago, Illinois
Original language English
Genre Black comedy
Setting The Hummingbird Motel, Off Airline Highway, New Orleans, Louisiana
Official site

Airline Highway is an American play, written by Lisa D'Amour and set in New Orleans. Commissioned by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the play made its Broadway debut in April 2015. It received four Tony Award nominations, including Best Featured Actor in a Play for K. Todd Freeman and Best Featured Actress in a Play for Julie White. Additionally, it received three Drama Desk Award nominations, winning one for Freeman.[1] Its final performance was on June 7, 2015.[2]

Synopsis

Airline Highway takes place in the parking lot of The Hummingbird Motel, off the titular highway near New Orleans, where the residents have gathered to celebrate the life of Miss Ruby, an iconic burlesque queen who has been a mother figure to them all. Miss Ruby's life is nearing its end, and she requests that her funeral takes place while she is still alive. As the Mardi Gras-esque celebration continues into the night, the stories of the residents, their pain and disappointments unfold.

Productions

2014 original production

The original production of the play was performed in Chicago, Illinois, by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company from December 4, 2014, until February 14, 2015. The production was directed by Joe Mantello with set design by Scott Pask. K. Todd Freeman performed the role of Sissy Na Na, with Kate Buddeke as Tanya, Scott Jaeck as Wayne and Robert Breuler in the ensemble.[3]

Broadway production

The play was produced on Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre from April 23 through June 7, 2015.[4] Directed by Mantello, both Freeman and Jaeck reprised their roles, and Julie White portrayed Tanya.

Awards

Year Award Ceremony Category Nominee Result
2015 Drama Desk Awards[4] Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play K. Todd Freeman Won
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play Julie White Nominated
Outstanding Play Nominated
Drama League Awards[4] Distinguished Performance Julie White Nominated
Tony Awards[4] Best Costume Design David Zinn Nominated
Best Lighting Design Japhy Weideman Nominated
Best Featured Actor in a Play K. Todd Freeman Nominated
Best Featured Actress in a Play Julie White Nominated

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, August 14, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.