Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of Ruben Santiago-Hudson's LACKAWANNA BLUES
By: A.A. Cristi Mar. 14, 2019
Ruben Santiago-Hudson's powerful and touching solo play "Lackawanna Blues" is currently running at the Mark Taper Forum. Produced by Center Theatre Group, See photos from opening night!
"Lackawanna Blues" is written, performed and directed by Santiago-Hudson with live music performed by Grammy-winning blues guitarist, composer and actor Chris Thomas King. The production will run through April 21 with the opening set for March 13 at 8 p.m.
Original music for the production is composed by Bill Sims Jr. with additional music composed by King. The design team includes scenic designer Michael Carnahan, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer Jen Schriever and sound designer Philip G. Allen. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin.
A magical, musical and deeply personal work by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, "Lackawanna Blues" is a reminiscence of his 1950s childhood in a small town on the banks of Lake Erie. Santiago-Hudson takes on more than 20 colorful characters-from would-be philosophers and petty hustlers to lost souls and abandoned lovers-in a brilliant celebration of the eccentric boardinghouse he grew up in. Santiago-Hudson returns to his roots in this tour de force performance accompanied throughout by live blues music.
Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
From left, actors Jason R. Moore and Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Actor Jodi Lyn O'Keefe
Actor Larry Powell
Actor James Pickens Jr.
Actor Jonathan Adams
Actor Okieriete Onaodowan
Actor Aaron Takahashi
Actor Kate Linder
From left, actors Loni Love and Jackée Harry
Actor Jason Dirden
Actor Erica Ash
Actor Sabina Zuniga Valera
Actor Suzanne Cryer
From left, actors Suzanne Cryer and Amy Aquino
Actor Amy Aquino
Actor Ben Vereen
Actor Shoniqua Shandai
From left, Roberto Portales and actor Mara Marini
Actor Mara Marini
Actor Jennifer Leigh Warren
Actor Henri Lubatti
Actor Sally Struthers
From left, Desiree DaCosta and actor Blair Underwood
From left, guitarist Chris Thomas King and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, guitarist Chris Thomas King and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, guitarist Chris Thomas King and Center Theatre Group General Manager Nausica Stergiou
From left, filmmaker Adam Davidson and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, actor Jennifer Leigh Warren and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, Jeannie Brittan, creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson and actor Jodi Lyn O'Keefe at the party for the opening night performance of "Lackawanna Blues" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on March 13, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
From left, actors Blair Underwood, Sally Struthers and Trey Santiago-Hudson
From left, scenic designer Michael Carnahan and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Jeannie Brittan and actor Trey Santiago-Hudson
From left, guitarist Chris Thomas King and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, actor Blair Underwood and Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie
From left, actors Blair Underwood, Roz Ryan and Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie
From left, actor Sally Struthers and Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie
From left, creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson and actor Blair Underwood
From left, creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson, actors Ben Vereen, Sally Struthers, Blair Underwood and Roz Ryan
From left, actor Ben Vereen, actor Blair Underwood, Desiree DaCosta, Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie and creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson
From left, scenic designer Michael Carnahan, creator/performer Ruben Santiago-Hudson and guitarist Chris Thomas King
Los Angeles Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Hollywood Bowl)
9.2% of votes
2.
HAIR (Conundrum Theatre)
5% of votes
3.
HEATHERS (Backyard Playhouse: Treetop Production)
4.9% of votes
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