Ruben Santiago-Hudson's well received solo drama, Lackawanna Blues, has been extended two weeks at Off-Broadway's Public Theatre. The play, which began previews April 6 and opened April 14 at LuEsther Hall, will now run through May 20 (instead of May 6).

Loretta Greco, who piloted Two Sisters and a Piano at the Public last season, directs. The drama stars Tony-winning Santiago-Hudson, who won for August Wilson's Seven Guitars, in which he played a gentle and comical philosopher-musician. He has, however, rarely been seen on the New York stage since. He was featured in Henry VIII in Central Park in 1997, and starred Off-Broadway in 1998 in Deep Down, a play by Doug Grissom. The following year, he performed in A Raisin in the Sun at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.

Blues takes place in 1956 in Lackawanna, New York and centers on Miss Rachel's boarding house, a gathering spot for "would-be philosophers, petty hustlers, lost souls, and abandoned lovers." Original music will be composed and performed live by guitarist Bill Sims.

For more information, call (212) 239-6200.

-- By David Lefkowitz
and Robert Simonson