Tony winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson returns to the Main Stem with the Broadway debut of his solo show Lackawanna Blues. Following a postponement due to an injury sustained by Santiago-Hudson, the Manhattan Theatre Club production officially opens at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre October 7.
Written, performed, and directed by Santiago-Hudson, Lackawanna Blues is set in a 1950s boarding house outside of Buffalo. The artist brings to life over 20 characters in the solo performance, celebrating the housemother who raised him, Miss Rachel.
The show features original music by Bill Sims Jr., performed on stage by Grammy-nominated blues guitarist Junior Mack.
The creative team includes scenic designer Michael Carnahan, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer Jen Schriever, and sound designer Darron L West.Lacakawanna Blues premiered Off-Broadway in 2001 and was adapted into a television film in 2005. Santiago-Hudson made his Broadway debut in 1992 in Jelly's Last Jam and won a 1996 Tony Award for his performance in Seven Guitars. He is slated to direct Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew—also at Manhattan Theatre Club—in 2022.
Broadway previews for Lackawanna Blues began September 14.