John Leguizamo is a Colombian-American actor, playwright, producer, and stand-up comedian.
John Leguizamo learned comedy to avoid fighting
Leguizamo was born in Bogotá, Colombia on July 22, 1964. He came to the States when he was 4 years old and grew up in Jackson Heights, Queens before it became a Latin neighborhood.
Getting picked on led Leguizamo to develop a comic personality so he could avoid getting in fights. It’s a special talent.
Leguizamo started doing stand-up in New York in 1984. His first acting work was a bit part on Miami Vice in 1986.
Leguizamo won an Obie Award for his one-man show Mambo Mouth (1991). Spic-O-Rama (1993) won a Drama Desk Award and several Cable ACE Awards.
Playing Luigi in Super Mario Bros. (1993) helped establish Leguizamo in Hollywood. He played Benny Blanco from the Bronx in Brian De Palma’s Carlito’s Way (1993).
Leguizamo’s Broadway show Freak (1998) won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding One-Person Show.
John Leguizamo is the Ghetto Klown
Ghetto Klown (2011) also made it to Broadway and became Leguizamo’s signature show. It became a touring production, was recorded for HBO, and became graphic novel. Ghetto Klown won an Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award.
John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons
When his son gets a school assignment on heroes, John seizes the chance to teach him all about the great figures of the Latino world. But once he sets out on his irreverent crash course across three continents and 3,000 years of history—from conquistadores to Cumbia, Montezuma to Menudo, and taking on the characters in all of it—he uncovers provocative truths that shock even him.
Leguizamo actually experienced the scenario with his own son. Realizing how little he knew about Latin history is what inspired John to write the show. It’s true that our history is just not taught in schools in the United States.
New York Latin Culture Magazine was started with the same purpose – to learn about Latin culture and share it with family so they could be proud of who they are – and not be bullied.
The 90-minute show, directed by Tony Taccone, had its first run at the Berkeley Rep in Berkeley, California from July 1 – August 14, 2016.
Latin History for Morons On Broadway
Latin History for Morons moves to Studio 54 on Broadway for a 16-week engagement in Fall / Winter 2017.
Previews Thursday, October 19, 2017
Opens Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Closes Sunday, February 4, 2018
Extended to February 25, 2018
Get tickets at www.latinhistorybroadway.com
Latin History for Morons: The Road to Broadway
Ben DeJesus is working on a documentary about Leguizamo’s journey in taking Latin History for Morons to Broadway.
You can donate to the documentary’s Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign until October 15, 2017 at www.FundJohnsDoc.com
Latin History for Morons Broadway Tickets
Box Office
Studio 54
254 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
(near Eighth Ave)
Times Square / Theater District
Phone
Telecharge (212) 239-6200
Online
Latin History for Morons at the Public Theater
Latin History for Morons first ran in New York City in a sold out run at the Public Theater in Manhattan’s East Village from February 24 to April 23, 2017.
Latin history keeps playing out in current events. Maybe now the show will have to be retitled, Latin History for Donald Trump.
John Jequizamo, courtesy of the Public Theater