REGIONAL PREMIERE
REGIONAL PREMIERE
MAY 21 ‒ JUNE 6, 2026
MATCH | Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston
RUNTIME: 2 hrs, 15 minutes (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.
Ray, 56, has a new identity, a new life, and is trying to put the past behind him. Una, 27, thinks of nothing else. When Una arrives at Ray's new office unannounced, guilt, rage, and raw emotions run high as they reexamine the relationship they had 15 years ago. Never able to reconcile the brutal truth of this abusive attachment, Una is looking for answers and the consequences are shattering. When one confuses abuse for love, it can disrupt their entire being.
MALINDA L. BECKHAM, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Child
Lost
Abuse
Abusing
Adults
Lie
Abandon
Perception
Reality
Hearing
Heard
Hear
HER
VIEW THE PROGRAM
“excitingly superb”
Photos by Gary Griffin
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.”
MEET THE CAST
“I leaned in and didn’t move for 90 minutes. This one will sit with you.”
“Amazing play! We are still talking about it!”
“Such a powerful story, masterfully directed by Malinda Beckham.”
CAST
CREATIVE TEAM
Scenic & Lighting Design
Ray
Director, Costume & Set Decoration
Production Manager
Fight Director
Assistant Director & Intimacy Director
Sound Design
Una
Girl
Photographer
CREW
Production Stage Manager