Steppenwolf Extends Broadway-Bound AIRLINE HIGHWAY

By popular demand, Steppenwolf Theatre Company extends its critically acclaimed world premiere production of Airline Highway by Pulitzer Prize finalist Lisa D'Amour and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello. Steppenwolf's Broadway-bound production continues for five additional performances, through February 14, 2015 with the original cast. Tickets ($20 - $86) to the additional performances of Airline Highway go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14 at 11am through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), at 312-335-1650 or at steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf's production will be presented by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) at their Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway in Spring 2015. Airline Highway was commissioned and developed by Steppenwolf Theatre Company with support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

In the parking lot of The Hummingbird, a once-glamorous motel on New Orleans' infamous Airline Highway, a group of friends gather. A rag-tag collection of strippers, hustlers and philosophers have come together to celebrate the life of Miss Ruby, an iconic burlesque performer who has requested a funeral before she dies. The party rages through the night as old friends resurface to pay their respects. A world premiere from the author of Detroit, Airline Highway is a boisterous and moving ode to the outcasts who make life a little more interesting.

The Chicago cast includes Steppenwolf ensemble members Robert Breuler and K. Todd Freeman with Carolyn Braver, Kate Buddeke, Chris Daley, Stephen Louis Grush, Terry Hamilton, Scott Jaeck, Toni Martin, Caroline Neff, Tim Edward Rhoze, Judith Roberts, Brenann Stacker, Gordon Joseph Weiss and Jacqueline Williams. Casting for the MTC engagement will be announced at a later date.

The production team for Steppenwolf's production of Airline Highway includes Scott Pask (scenic design), David Zinn (costume design), Japhy Weideman (lighting design) and Fitz Patton (sound design and original composition). Additional credits include: Erica Daniels (casting), Malcolm Ewen (stage manager) and Christine D. Freeburg (assistant stage manager).

Steppenwolf hosts EXPLORE: The World of Airline Highway, a free between-shows event on Saturday, January 17 at 5:30pm in the Garage Theatre featuring performance poetry from New Orleans-based Danny Kerwick, the real-life inspiration for the character of Francis. Kerwick is joined by some of Chicago's coolest performance poets, including Gregorio Gomez, Marty McConnell and Billy Tuggle, music from Four Star Brass Band (Chicago-based New Orleans-style brass), cuisine by authentic New Orleans chefs from Chicago's Blue Door Farm Stand and more. The event is free, but space is limited. Call Audience Services at 312-335-1650 to RSVP. For more details, visit steppenwolf.org/explore.

Tickets to Airline Highway ($20 - $86) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted St), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org. Prices subject to change. 20 for $20: twenty $20 tickets are available through Audience Services beginning at 11am on the day of each performance (1pm for Sunday performances by phone only). Rush Tickets: half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student Discounts: a limited number of $15 student tickets are available online. Limit 2 tickets per student; must present a valid student ID for each ticket. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org/students. Group Tickets: all groups of 10 or more receive a discounted rate for any performance throughout the season. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org/groups.

Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance in the Subscription Season. Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street, lot and valet parking are available. Assistive listening devices and large-print programs are available for every performance.

Accessible performances include an American Sign Language Interpretation on Sunday, January 11 at 7:30pm; Open Captioning: Saturday, January 17 at 3pm; Audio Description and Touch Tour: Sunday, January 18 (Touch tour at 1:30pm; Curtain at 3pm). For more information, visit steppenwolf.org/access.

Northern Trust is the Corporate Production Sponsor of the Chicago production of Airline Highway.