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Lackawanna Blues 2021

Run Time:
1 hour and 40 minutes no intermission
Opened: September 28, 2021
Closing: November 12, 2021

Lackawanna Blues - 2021 Broadway History , Info & More

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)
261 W. 47th St. New York, NY 10036

Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson returns to MTC for the Broadway debut of his brilliant solo play celebrating the strong, big-hearted woman who raised him: Miss Rachel. In a 1950s boarding house outside Buffalo, Nanny, as she was affectionately called, opened her doors to anyone and everyone in need of kindness, hope, compassion and care. Giving a tour-de-force performance accompanied by live music written by acclaimed composer Bill Sims, Jr. and performed by Blues Hall of Fame Guitarist Junior Mack, Santiago-Hudson embodies more than 20 vibrant characters, creating a richly textured reminiscence that’s inspiring, uplifting and right at home on Broadway.


Lackawanna Blues - 2021 - Broadway Cast

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PREVIEW Lackawanna Blues - 2021 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Lackawanna Blues

Ruben Santiago-Hudson Makes Music of the Past in ‘Lackawanna Blues’
9 / 10

Such basic storytelling, a collection of vignettes peppered with musical passages, could have been presented quite minimally, but MTC wraps Santiago-Hudson's colorful yarns in a handsome package. Michael Carnahan's grandly dilapidated proscenium arcs over the stage; Jen Schriever's lights evoke the ghosts and shadows of yesteryear; Darron L. West's sound design balances speech and music - of which there's an abundance. Santiago-Hudson isn't alone on stage: He's backed by accomplished guitarist Junior Mack, who strums and frets the original blues score by Bill Simms, Jr. Santiago-Hudson jams along on harmonica, wailing and keening into the air when words just aren't enough.

Lackawanna Blues’ Review: A Soulful Master Class in Storytelling
9 / 10

It always comes back to Nanny, with her stiff back and neatly folded arms; Santiago-Hudson's rendering evokes a Cicely Tyson type, a strong Black matriarch not to be trifled with. His narrative performance is impressive for many reasons, but one of the most nuanced is the way Santiago-Hudson sees it all, as a child eavesdropping and peeking through doorways, with curious and affectionate eyes. He grounds us in the details, which brings not just these characters, but also a whole town to life: the way a woman pops her hips, the way a man coughs, even the particular tint of the Lackawanna snow. After all, people may think the blues are about heartbreak, but to get to heartbreak, you first have to pass through love.

MTC's LACKAWANNA BLUES Announces Final Extension Through November 12
by Stephi Wild - October 22, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues will add additional performances on Tuesday, November 9 at 7PM, Wednesday, November 10 at 2PM, Thursday, November 11 at 7PM and Friday, November 12 at 8PM at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

LACKAWANNA BLUES Announces One-Week Extension
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 12, 2021


Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced that Manhattan Theatre Club’s Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues will extend for one additional week of performances, now playing through Sunday, November 7 at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

This Weekend's Performances of LACKAWANNA BLUES Canceled Due to Recurrence of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Back Injury
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 8, 2021


Performances of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues have been cancelled for this weekend due to a recurrence of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's back injury.

LACKAWANNA BLUES Canceled Tonight Due to Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Back Injury
by A.A. Cristi - October 7, 2021


Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson returns to MTC for the Broadway debut of his brilliant solo play celebrating the strong, big-hearted woman who raised him: Miss Rachel.

Review Roundup: LACKAWANNA BLUES Opens on Broadway!
by A.A. Cristi - October 7, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues, opens tonight at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Read all the reviews as they roll in!

VIDEO: Watch a Sneak Peek of LACKAWANNA BLUES on Broadway!
by Nicole Rosky - September 29, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director and Barry Grove, Executive Producer)’s Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues, now playing at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The show will open next Thursday, October 7.

LACKAWANNA BLUES Delays Opening Night as Ruben Santiago-Hudson Recovers from Back Injury
by A.A. Cristi - September 27, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club will postpone the opening night performance of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues as the veteran performer, writer, and director continues to recover from a back injury sustained last week.

LACKAWANNA BLUES Cancels Weekend Performances Due to Back Injury Sustained by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 24, 2021


Ruben Santiago-Hudson had a back injury this week. As a result, performances of RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON’s LACKAWANNA BLUES are cancelled this evening and over the weekend.

Photos: First Look at Ruben Santiago-Hudson in LACKAWANNA BLUES
by Nicole Rosky - September 23, 2021


The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director and Barry Grove, Executive Producer) Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues is now in performances and will open next Tuesday, September 28 at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Photos: Manhattan Theatre Club Celebrates Re-Opening with First Preview of LACKAWANNA BLUES
by Bruce Glikas - September 16, 2021


On Tuesday night, Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues debuted on Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street, NYC), following the theater going dark for 18 months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIDEO: LACKAWANNA BLUES Celebrates Its First Broadway Preview!
by A.A. Cristi - September 15, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club reopened its doors today with the first preview of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues, which reopens MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre!

Ruben Santiago-Hudson's LACKAWANNA BLUES Reopens MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Tomorrow Night
by Chloe Rabinowitz - September 13, 2021


Manhattan Theatre Club will reopen its doors tomorrow, Tuesday, September 14, when the Broadway premiere of Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues begins performances at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Single Tickets Now On Sale For Ruben Santiago-Hudson's LACKAWANNA BLUES
by Stephi Wild - August 10, 2021


Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues is written, performed, and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson (August Wilson's Jitney, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix). Learn more about the production and how to purchase tickets here!

Tickets To LACKAWANNA BLUES Now On Sale For American Express Card Members
by Stephi Wild - July 26, 2021


Ruben Santiago-Hudson's Lackawanna Blues begins performances Tuesday, September 14, 2021 and opens Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre The show is written, performed, and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Learn more about the production and how to purchase tickets here!

Lackawanna Blues History

Other Productions of Lackawanna Blues

2001   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
2021   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

Lackawanna Blues - 2021 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2022 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actor in a Play Ruben Santiago-Hudson
2022 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Music in a Play Bill Sims Jr.
2022 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Revival of a Play Lackawanna Blues
2022 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Awards Ruben Santiago-Hudson
2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) Jen Schreiver
2022 Outer Critics Circle Awards Special Achievement Awards Ruben Santiago-Hudson
2022 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play Ruben Santiago-Hudson

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