Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues

 Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s
Lackawanna Blues
Manhattan Theatre Club
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
September 18, 2021 

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues is a touching tribute to Nanny, the woman who raised him.  It is a one-person show in which Mr. Santiago-Hudson embodies countless citizens of Lackawanna, NY to tell his story.  He transforms physically and vocally for each character.  Some stand taller than he, some meeker.  Some are physically disabled, some emotionally distraught.  It is the character of Nanny who seems most at ease gleaming through Mr. Santiago-Hudson’s commanding presence.  She is grounded and calm, with a kind and open heart.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

The story begins with Ruben Santiago-Hudson silhouetted in a doorway, instantly shifting from one character to another, telling of how their lives were affected by the kindness and generosity of one woman.  The lights come up on Nanny telling the story of how she got that name.  She kept house for a white family and cared for two young boys, who affectionately called her “Nanny.”  She left that job when the boys’ mother went back on her word and was cross with her for no reason.  This motivated Nanny’s decision to work for herself.  She opened two rooming houses in Lackawanna, NY.  They became a safe haven for the community. Nanny offered a hot meal, guidance, and emotional support as needed.  When a young boy, Ruben, was left alone in the evenings while his mother went to work, Nanny kept an eye on him, and ended up raising him as her own.  Ruben was never left alone again.  He was always surrounded by colorful characters and nurtured by Nanny’s loving care.  

The writing and directing, also by Mr. Santiago-Hudson, are masterful.  Each story of Nanny and the citizens of Lackawanna connects and builds as Mr. Santiago-Hudson shares very private and intimate moments from his upbringing.  A lone guitar, played by Junior Mack, underscores the stories.  Mr. Santiago-Hudson also plays harmonica during a few of the transitions.  This is a personal and inspiring tour-de-force performance.  It is not to be missed.

Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues is playing at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through October 31.  Get your ticket today! 

Domenick Danza

The Children

The Children

Manhattan Theatre Club

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

December 9, 2017

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Lucy Kirkwood’s play The Children asserts a powerful message of responsibility.  Produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club in conjunction with Royal Court Theatre, this three character play asks a number of mind boggling “what if” questions.  Director James Macdonald builds the tension and suspense with subtle glances and shifts in timing and tone, which brings Ms. Kirkwood’s daring script to a shocking conclusion.

Rose (played by Francesca Annis) drops in on her old friends Hazel (played by Deborah Findlay) and her husband Robin (played by Ron Cook) for a surprise visit.  All three are retired nuclear physicists who worked together in the local power plant.  There was a recent nuclear explosion that has put the whole county in grave danger.  Since the disaster, Hazel and Robin have been living in a small cottage on the outskirts of the danger zone.  The purpose of Rose’s return is to gather the group of scientists who built the plant, knowing its weaknesses and impending dangers, and repair the damage in order to make it safe for the children and the future.

Ron Cook, Deborah Findlay, & Francesca Annis
Photo courtesy of Royal Court Theatre

All three actors are amazing.  They keep you on the edge of your seat by gradually revealing their characters’ wants and fears.  Francesca Annis’ character of Rose is a mysterious myriad of secrets.  Deborah Findlay’s Hazel is a stoic force, eager to speak her mind.  Ron Cook’s rendition of Robin is outgoing, charming, and quietly brave.  Their chemistry is genuine and their timing is spot on. 

Ms. Kirkwood’s play speaks to a generation.  It asks them to do what is needed in order to leave the world in as good, if not better, condition than it was given to them.  Isn’t it everyone’s responsibility to clean up after themselves?  How can you expect a different outcome from repeating the same behavior decade after decade?  The Children asks these questions on an individual as well as a global level.  This amazing play, direct from the Royal Court Theatre, will be running at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre through February 4.  See it for yourself.   

Domenick Danza

Heisenberg

Heisenberg

Manhattan Theatre Club

Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

September 24, 2016

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Mary-Louise Parker is astonishing in Heisenberg, presently in previews at Manhattan Theatre Club.  She creates a character that is witty, needy, and neurotic.  Her chemistry with costar Denis Arndt is magnetic.  Together they captivate the audience in this intimate, two character play by Simon Stephens.

Georgia Burns (played by Mary-Louise Parker) kisses the back of the neck of a total a stranger, Alex Priest (played by Denis Arndt).  She then proceeds to weave a tale of lies.  A few days later, she seeks him out in his butcher shop to tell him the truth about herself.  Alex gradually opens up to her.  She then reveals her true motivations.  What occurs next surprises the both of them.

Denis Arndt & Mary-Louise Parker
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

To create an intimate setting at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, director Mark Brokaw and scenic designer Mark Wendland seats the two hundred or so audience members from the balcony on stage.  The playing area is forced to the narrow downstage section.  With only two tables and two chairs to move around to represent various locations, your focus goes directly to the connection between the two characters.  The push and pull between then plays out for ninety minutes and comes to a calm and gratifying fulfillment for both of their needs.

Heisenberg is a unique and tender script.  The characters are quirky and real.  The production is minimal and perfectly conceived.  It opens on October 13, and runs through December 4.

Domenick Danza

Our Mother’s Brief Affair

Our Mother’s Brief Affair

Manhattan Theatre Club

At the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

January 10, 2016

Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Our Mother’s Brief Affair is Richard Greenberg’s new play presently in previews at the Manhattan Theatre Club.  It stars Linda Lavin who delivers a strong performance as a woman in the final chapter of her life who shares her secrets with her adult children.  The script gradually builds momentum in Act I, then throws a curve right before intermission that begs for more detail.  Mr. Greenberg successfully follows through in Act II, however, the final scene, could use some edits and tightening in order to deliver the impact the script deserves.

Seth (played by Greg Keller) is speechless when his mother Anna (played by Linda Lavin) reveals, during a hospital stay, that she had a brief affair when he was a teen.  He immediately calls his twin sister, Abby (played by Kate Arrington), who flies to New York from California to assist him.  Even though the hospital stay proves to be another one of their mother’s overly dramatic incidents, the secrets she shares with them open up a side of her that neither of them knew before.  Seth questions how much is truth and how much is delusion, but Abby gives her the benefit of the doubt.  Either way, Anna has her moment and the healing has begun.

Gregg Keller & Linda Lavin
Photo courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Company

Mr. Greenberg crafts a script full of poetic detail that engages the emotions.  The opening scene is a respectful and humorous remembrance of a mother by her son.  Seth’s job as a writer of obituaries and someone who “frames” the lives of the dead serves as a metaphor for the themes of the play.  Mr. Greenberg shows this hand early on in the script, and skillfully builds on it throughout the play.  Some of the humor in the beginning of Act II is dark.  Perhaps if the pace of this section is heightened and the timing tightened, the laughs would come more readily.  Mr. Greenberg writes a tremendously poignant and personal monologue for Anna part way through Act II, which Ms. Lavin portrays flawlessly.  This is the strength and beauty of the play.  It is followed, unfortunately, by a clumsy final scene where everything is wrapped up too succinctly.  With some tweaking and editing of this scene before opening night, this play can deliver an impact on all three characters that will resonate with all audience members.

Each of the actors creates a realistic character that is multidimensional and likeable, which makes this production worth seeing.  Our Mother’s Brief Affair opens at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on January 20 and runs through March 6.  If you see it after the opening date, please post your comments here and let me know what you think about the final scene.

Domenick Danza