On Broadway, Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Lackawanna Blues will begin performances Tuesday, September 14, 2021, and open Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. 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), with original music by Bill Sims, Jr. performed on stage by Grammy Award-nominated blues guitarist Junior Mack.
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.
Tickets are on sale to the general public beginning Tuesday, August 10 at 10:00am ET.
Also announced Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club, the world premiere of Morning Sun will begin performances Tuesday, October 12, 2021, and open Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at New York City Center – Stage I. Written by Tony Award winner Simon Stephens and directed by Drama Desk Award winner Lila Neugebauer, Morning Sun stars Tony Award winner Blair Brown, four-time Emmy Award winner Edie Falco, and Tony Award nominee Marin Ireland.
Blair Brown (Copenhagen, “Orange Is the New Black”), Edie Falco (“The Sopranos,”Frankie and Johnny…), and Marin Ireland (Reasons to Be Pretty) form a powerhouse trio of stars in this deeply felt, gorgeously imagined new play by Tony winner Simon Stephens (Heisenberg, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time). In Greenwich Village a generation or so ago, the city is alive. Joni Mitchell sings, friends and lovers come and go, and the regulars change at the White Horse Tavern. As 50 years pass, one woman’s life is revealed in all its complexity, mystery and possibility in this enthralling world premiere about mothers and daughters, beginnings and endings in New York City. Directing is Lila Neugebauer (The Waverly Gallery).
Performance dates and further casting information for other productions in MTC’s 2021-22 season will be announced soon.