Lackawanna Blues tonight

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:24am

Tonight Lackawanna Blues premieres on HBO. and I think all of you should watch it (my first cousin edited it). Here's a short little synopsis:
"Lackawanna Blues pays homage to an era gone by, taking an affectionate look at the ties that bind an African-American community in the period just before desegregation. The drama takes place primarily as a flashback to Santiago-Hudson's childhood, starting with his birth in the upstate NY town of Lackawanna during a raucous Friday-night fish fry hosted by Rachel "Nanny" Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson). As a boy in the 1950s and 60s, with his parents unable to take care of him, Ruben Jr. is essentially adopted by Nanny, proprietor of a rooming house and mentor to countless down-on-their luck blacks who moved there from Nanny's hometown in Virginia. Nanny's place is not just walls and a roof, but a home where misfits and drifters can escape their personal hells to find a fresh start and a family. Against this background, Jr. receives an education in life from a diverse and colorful group of boarders. However, his biggest bond will always be with Nanny, in a relationship that nobody, not even a pair of zealous social workers, can tear asunder. "

It was directed by George C. Wolfe (creator of Caroline or Change) and has an amazing cast, including Rosie Perez, Mos Def, Macy Gray, Liev Schreiber.. etc... and an AMAZING editor .

So hopefully all of you that have HBO will watch and we can discuss later!

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:29am

oooooooo lackawanna is about 5 minutes from me :P

[zippyjen]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:29am

I am very excited. I willnot be able to see it tonight but i am hoping that i can tape it. When i see it i will join in on the discussion.

[sweetiedarlinmia]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:31am

Another reason we should have the choice of ordering HBO on my campus. Please someone tell me how it is b/c I really wish I could see it.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:41am

Years ago I was the dialogue coach on the Broadway production of THE PIANO LESSON. The reason they needed one is that the understudies refused to learn their lines for some reason, so they had to hire me to work with them.

Epatha was in the cast, and as she has a very strong work ethic, she was relieved that I was there to take on the difficult task of reigning in these understudies who weren't interested in doing their work. I used to call her "Reba," as in Reba the Mail Lady, the character she played on PeeWee's Playhouse. And she let me. She's fabulous. I can't wait to see her in this tonight.

Updated On: 2/12/05 at 11:41 AM

[zippyjen]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:54am

she was in pee wee? I loved that show! SHe is really great and i am getting even more excited for this tonight.

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 3:45pm

it should be great... and i just read a syndicated review that said it features "spectacular editing" woohoo

[Chloe]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 5:34pm

Jeffrey Wright also has a small part in this, along with a number of other excellent actors who were willing to take small roles in what is obviously a labor of love.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 6:04pm

I simply cannot wait. Also, didn't HBO film CAROLINE, OR CHANGE? When's that gonna air?

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 8:08pm

I think they are supposed to release it on DVD.. like Into the Woods, etc.... but not sure when. I can inquire.

But I did just see my cousin on the red carpet during the interviews before and his name (Brian A. Kates)on the opening credits so get excited.

[Thetruth]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 9:07pm

I'm watching it now. Everybody and their momma is in this movie.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 9:21pm

Yes and they're all wonderful - except Macy Gray - was that really necessary? Had to throw a pop star in there - why? It's glaringly obvious that she's not up to the level of the "real" actors.

Epatha needs an Emmy for this performance. I'm thrilled to see her in a lead role - it's about time.

Updated On: 2/12/05 at 09:21 PM

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 9:38pm

Oh, my lord, how I cried. Epatha was off the ****ing charts brilliant. Just send girlfriend the Emmy right now and get it over with!

[Chloe]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:17pm

I loved this show, and I think everyone did a great job. I didn't remember Macy Gray was in it and didn't recognize her - she certainly didn't stick out to me. The music was incredible too. Epatha was outstanding in a difficult role to pull off.

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:23pm

I loved the movie. Biases aside, it was fabulous. Macy Gray to me was fine... not great, but I mean her role wasnt that important, or big, but obviously if people didnt realize that it was her she didn't stick out too much. Epatha is amazing... and Marcus Franklin (jr.) was incredible as well, and too cute. and did anyone think that Henry Simmons looked goooood?

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:24pm

oh and sorry to double post, but did anyone see it when it was just Ruben's one man show?

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 10:26pm

Saw the one man show. Just brilliant.

Was Marcus Franklin Jackie or Joe in CAROLINE? I could never tell the two apart and don't feel like searching for the playbill.

[OneLastRefrain2]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 11:15am

Marcus was Joe in COC. and he was too cute in that as well.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:09pm

Epatha is one of those great force of nature actors- she should get more attention!