An applause for the ultimate sacrifice of a simple woman

Drifting back in his life in search of lost souls, Ruben Santiago-Hudson grants the audience a vivid reflection of the past in his solo performance, "Lackawanna Blues."

"Everybody needs a little help some time. This is what I do." says Nanny (a.k.a. Miss Rachael Crosby), owner of a run-down boarding house in Lackawanna, N.Y. in the 1950s.

More significant than that, Nanny is the woman whom Santiago-Hudson had found solace in as a maturing boy. She is the woman who has shaped his feelings, values and ideals — the woman whom has made "the ultimate sacrifice."

Because of the events of Sept. 11, McCarter Theatre's artistic director Emily Mann replaced "The Vienna Notes," about a politician's self-concern amid a terrorist attack, with Santiago-Hudson's Obie Award winning play "Lackawanna Blues."

"As a theater dedicated to serving our community, we want to present a reminder of what is best in humanity in the face of evil," Mann said. "My desire is to go forward with a life-affirming and joyous peace.

"I have found that and so much more in the irresistible 'Lacka-wanna Blues.' Ruben performs this dazzling, multi-character, one person tour-de-force with great humor, warmth, and insight."

The play is a flashback, accompanied by the bluesy tunes of the acoustic guitar played live on stage by world-famous master Bill Sims Jr. Santiago-Hudson — the 1996 Tony Award winner for Best Featured Per-former — plays more than 21 different and colorful characters, who used to be residents of this boarding house.

The characters combine to convey the image of this wonderful and almost unbelievably saint-like lady, Nanny, to the audience.

Nearly saving Santiago-Hudson's life and steering him in the right direction, Nanny is also life itself for the other residents of the boarding house — people whose personalities and experiences acutely conflict with the generally prosperous and comfortable life in America in the '50s.

Among these people are ex-convicts, battered wives, drunks, impassioned lovers, World War II veterans and men ready to leave the mental asylum. Santiago-Hudson describes them as all those who "sinned and were sinned against." Nanny without hesi-tation gives her angel-hand to all these individuals, providing them with shelter and affection — what they have longed for all their lives.

When asked what he misses about those years in Lackawanna, Santiago-Hudson answers, "The incredible pride and sense of community that was always very obvious . . . This play is a reminder that there was a time when we all looked out for each other."

Santiago-Hudson, 44, has had various leading stage roles on Broadway and has appeared in the CBS series "Law & Or-der," "Touch-ed by an Angel," "West Wing" and "NYPD Blue." He also play-ed opposite Al Pacino in "Devil's Advocate," Samuel L. Jackson in "Shaft," Jeff Bridges in "Blown Away" and John Travolta in "Domestic Disturbance."

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His virtuosity in acting is inherent in "Lackawanna Blues." He weaves his way through the story by paying attention to every small detail.

"He passes from one identity to the next so fluidly that you barely notice the flip of the switch," a New York Times reviewer said about the play.

Summarizing his story of success after his days in Lackawanna, Santiago-Hudson says, "I made a determination not to fail. So many boys living with Nanny failed miserably. At one point, there were five of us in the house. One is in jail for a double homicide. Another is in a mental asylum. Another is wandering the streets twisting his hair. The fourth had a sex change operation and is living in Florida with a new name. And here I am."

And here he will be, acting in a dim-blue spotlight in McCarter from Oct. 16 through Nov. 4.

The humorous, sometimes lyrical, but extremely dramatic things he says about his delicate story will surely turn out to be an unforgettable theatrical experience for anyone who sees the play.