♪♪ Man: Places, everyone.

[ Indistinct conversations ] My name is Andrea Frierson, and my play is called "Houston."

"Houston" centers around two Black opera singers who, through an unfortunate circumstance, find themselves in a small rural town also named Houston.

The couple is on their way to Houston -- they think Houston, Texas -- for a concert and end up in Houston, Alabama.

And also, it happens to take place -- the play -- on the day of the aborted Apollo 13 mission.

So, "Houston, we have a problem."

[ Engine running ] [ Hissing and squeaking ] [ Vehicle departs ] Houston, Alabama?

Oh, God.

Do you realize what's happening?

We're in the wrong place.

I thought it was odd the trip was so short.

Why, this is nothing but a little podunk town.

I knew we were going in the wrong direction.

Trust me, I know Houston.

I've performed there on several occasions with the Grand Opera, and I know it!

Once.

What?

You sang with the Grand Opera once.

Regardless.

Let me check the itinerary.

Leave it up to you, we're liable to end up God knows where.

Oh!

You know I am nearly blind in my right eye.

Must you be so heartless?

I'm just saying, leave it up to me.

Let me handle things.

That's how it's always been.

That's how we've gotten where we are today.

[ Sneezes ] Oh!

Well, if I wasn't allergic to hay, I would say thank you.

And did it ever occur to you that maybe this was Arturo's fault and not mine?

When's the next bus out of this godforsaken place?

Just hold that.

Let's see.

Not until tomorrow morning!

Oh, 9:52 a.m..

I'll tell you, these booking agents are tricky.

[Mocking] "Only the best concert halls for you and Shirley.

Only the best."

[Normally] Remind me when we get back to the city to call Cecil Philippe.

Shoot.

I've got a good mind to sue that agency.

I've performed all over the world with practically every respected conductor there is.

I'll be damned if I'm going to perform German lieder before Ma and Pa kettle.

Okay.

Just try to think positively, dear.

I'm sure someone will be here soon to meet us.

Hopefully someone with teeth.

Oh, yes.

[ Laughs ] U-um, hello?

We're the performers?

The Atwoods of New York City?

Oh, yes, yes.

We're on tour.

Uh, yoo-hoo.

Yoo hoo!

Oh.

Is anyone there?

[ Horse whinnies ] Oh!

Will you keep it down?

What?

There's nothing worse than an uptight farm animal.

[ Horse whinnies ] Oh!

Oh.

Well, maybe if we sing to him, he'll -- he'll back away.

I'll be damned if I'm gonna sing to a horse.

Well -- [ Horse whinnies ] Oh!

You start.

Me?

How am I supposed to know what horses like?

You go.

[ Horse snorting ] ♪ Swing dat hammer ♪ Oh.

♪ Early in the morning ♪ [ He grunts, horse whinnies ] ♪ Swing dat hammer ♪ [ Both grunt ] ♪ Every single hour ♪ ♪ Swing that hammer ♪ [ Grunting ] ♪ When da moon is risin' ♪ Okay, okay.

Stop.

"When da moon is risin'?"

What is that?

Oh, forget it.

It's not working.

Oh.

How about a spiritual?

I bet they like spirituals.

After all, we are down south.

Are you crazy?

That's just going to make them realize how tough they've got it.

Well, I -- Oh, I've got it.

Hold this.

Okay, let's see.

Okay.

[ Horse snorting ] [ Horse whinnies ] [ Opera music plays ] Okay, good, good.

They're backing away.

Okay.

I'm sick of this.

There must be someone with a telephone.

I don't even see any houses.

Do you?

No, not a one.

What if we're stuck here all day?

Oh, well, let's see.

We have... half a roast beef sandwich.

[ Cow moos ] Oh, I'm certain it's no one you know.

Um, oh, some Fig Newtons in my purse, and a box of Slippery Elm lozenges.

We've got big problems.

What if no one finds us?

What if someone does?

All we need is for some redneck cracker to find two educated Black folk from up north singing classical repertoire.

Oh, Alex, you're scaring me.

I'm just telling you like it T-I-S. Why do you think I left the south as soon as I could rub two nickels together?

Oh, well, I'm certainly glad you did.

After all, who else would I have married but you?

That's right.

Pass me a Fig Newton, will you?

Oh, okay.

[ Laughs ] Well, we might as well start writing our obituaries.

[ Laughs ] Oh, stop being morbid.

You know, I-I think it kind of cheers me up, knowing that we'll finally get the recognition we deserve right there in black and white.

Oh.

Well.

Let's see -- Juilliard graduates, Carnegie Hall recitals.

Town Hall.

New York City Opera.

Oh, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Both: Of course.

[ Laughs ] And since I'm a native New Yorker, maybe it should begin with me, award-winning soprano, Shirley Samuel, and her husband, bass baritone Alexander Atwood, were in Houston, Alabama.

Ah, ah, ah.

What?

Award-winning bass baritone.

All right.

Award-winning bass baritone.

The point is, we're dead.

Listen, I'm just trying to make sure we're Page 1 dead, not Page 14 dead.

All right.

Atwood, of course, is known for his opera roles in "Cosi Fan Tutte..." Ah.

"Rigoletto," "Regina."

Aha.

Mm.

"Porgy and Bess," as well as numerous symphony orchestra engagements in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, Houston -- the real Houston, that is.

Oh.

Oh.

When you were working that Philadelphia Symphony job, we were still living in that basement apartment, remember?

Yeah.

Warfield coming down with laryngitis was the lucky break, all right.

Mm.

I miss that little apartment.

That was the first big interview of my career.

"Atwood could be the new rising star of the concert world."

We were so much closer then.

Naturally, we were living in a one-room apartment, but I managed to change all of that.

Oh, well, we changed all of that.

I'm not saying you didn't have anything to bring to the table, but I had more experience than you did.

Let's face it.

I was well on my way to a striving solo career before we met.

Are you accusing me of standing in the way of your solo career?

Not accusing -- For your information, I could have had a very nice solo career of my own.

Do I need to remind you that I was a student of Lottie Plimpton?

I never stopped you.

No, you were just patting yourself on the back.

A lover's true feelings shall be revealed.

Linda Goodman's "Sun Signs" -- painful, yet so insightful.

All these years, all you've thought of me as is a worker bee.

Well, sir, this bee has a heart and wants to be appreciated for more than just her golden honey tones.

Isn't that a cereal?

What?

Well, never mind.

I wouldn't expect you to understand.

Give me this.

I'm no stranger to love's bittersweet embrace.

Evidently.

What is that supposed to mean?

Oh, nothing.

If you have something to say, then just say it.

Oh, I don't know.

Maybe your European tour.

What?

The home of a certain French composer who shall remain nameless.

Ugh, God.

Impromptu French lessons.

Private French lessons.

Well, you certainly could have joined us.

I never knew where you were half the time.

I barely even saw you when we weren't on stage.

I thought we would at least be able to take in a sight or two.

Well, you were so concerned with the performances, I guess I didn't think you cared one way or the other.

You're my wife, aren't you?

Oh.

It's ironic.

When people see us perform together, they always think we're so in love with each other.

I guess it's natural to confuse what's on stage with real life.

And real life with what's on stage.

Ugh, can't it all just be the same?

Nobody wants to pay to see me in shirtsleeves and you with flat hair.

Oh!

[ Laughs ] They want something grand.

Tuxedos and tiaras.

A romantic performance.

Ugh, how unromantic.

All the way to the bank.

Yes.

I suppose you'd rather live in a tenement walkup with no heat, practicing your French.

Would that be so terrible?

Love and affection offstage?

[ Giggles ] Oh, don't look now, but that cow is rummaging through your valise.

[ Cow moos ] That fat bastard's eating our encores!

Well, all is not lost.

Oh, no?

We'll just sing it from memory.

Yeah.

We know it by heart.

[ Giggles ] Oh!

Oh, look.

A farmhouse, out there.

See?

Hello!

Hello!

I'm Alexander Atwood, and this is my wife, Shirley, and we're here to sing for you...

Both: Together.

[ Cheers and applause ]