BWW Reviews: AIRLINE HIGHWAY Plays Like The Mot l New Orleans

Back in 1973, Landford Wilson won an Obie for The Hot l Baltimore, a comedy/drama about the makeshift community formed by the long and short-term residents of a crumbling hotel (The title refers to a broken "e" in its neon sign.) that was light on plot but thick with character studies of its hookers, hustlers and others struggling with their pasts.

Lisa D'Amour's Airline Highway, now on Broadway in a production transferred from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company, tries pulling the same trick at a New Orleans motel. If it had opened in 1972 perhaps it would have been as effective as Wilson's piece was 40+ years ago, but D'Amour puts no fresh spin on a collection of characters that have become standard types and despite some well-committed performances in director Joe Mantello's production, the evening rarely seems inspired.

Designer Scott Pask provides a terrific exterior of the 2-story Hummingbird Motel with all the action taking place in its parking lot. In one room lies the terminally ill Miss Ruby (Judith Roberts), an aging burlesque queen and mother figure to the locals. Her friend Tanya (Julie White), a prostitute with addition and maternal issues, plans a grand New Orleans funeral that Miss Ruby can enjoy while she's still alive.

Returning to the Hummingbird for the occasion is Bait Boy (Joe Tippett) - the reasons for his nickname are varied - who left New Orleans to live off a wealthy Atlanta woman. He's brought with him the lady's teenage daughter, Zoe (Carolyn Braver), who's doing a high school report on subcultures. Her pointed questions help expose old wounds.

Krista (Caroline Neff) is the stripper Bait Boy left behind, Sissy Na Na (K. Todd Freeman) is the requisite flamboyant sassy transsexual and Francis (Ken Marks) is the paternal poet, a child of the Beat Generation.

When the party finally gets going it's a colorful and lively affair with lots of music and rowdy dancing, but naturally unsettled issues start flaring up tempers.

The acting ensemble is very good and the production values are high, but Airline Highway is a slow-moving vehicle on a road that has been better traveled.

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