Lackawanna Blues (film)

Lackawanna Blues is a drama television film directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. It aired on HBO on February 12, 2005. It is based on the play of the same name by Santiago-Hudson. Wolfe had commissioned the stage version.[1] It is the true story of Ruben Santiago Jr. growing up in Lackawanna, New York. He was raised by his father and mother and the neighborhood boarding house lady known as Rachel "Nanny" Crosby. Ruben was born in 1956 to his Puerto Rican father Ruben Santiago and his African-American mother Alean Hudson. His mother was too mentally unstable to take good care of him; residing in mental hospitals, Alean disappears and reappears throughout Ruben's life. His father stayed at Nanny's boarding house, but he was frequently not around due to working long hours or out looking for work. Nanny more or less took care of Ruben Jr. as a mother figure. The television movie tells of his life growing up there and of the diverse characters that he meets during his and their stays at the boarding house.

For the play from which this film was derived, see Lackawanna Blues.
Lackawanna Blues
Based onLackawanna Blues
by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Screenplay byRuben Santiago-Hudson
Directed byGeorge C. Wolfe
StarringMarcus Carl Franklin
S. Epatha Merkerson
Hill Harper
Jimmy Smits
Terrence Howard
ComposerMeshell Ndegeocello
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersHalle Berry
Vincent Cirrincione
Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Shelby Stone
ProducerNellie Nugiel
CinematographyIvan Strasburg
EditorBrian A. Kates
Running time95 minutes
DistributorHBO
Release
Original networkHBO
Original release
  • February 12, 2005 (2005-02-12)

For her work in the movie, S. Epatha Merkerson won a Best Actress Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Emmy Award in 2006.

Cast

The blind Detroit street singer Robert Bradley from the band Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise also appears in the film. He performs on-screen and has three songs featured on the soundtrack (including a duet with Macy Gray).

References
  1. Lee, Felicia R. (2005-02-06), "Lost and Found In Lackawanna", New York Times
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