How Did Critics Review John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons on Broadway? | Playbill

The Verdict How Did Critics Review John Leguizamo’s Latin History for Morons on Broadway? The stage and screen star’s latest solo play officially opened on Broadway November 15 at Studio 54.
John Leguizamo Joan Marcus

John Leguizamo, whose acclaimed solo shows include Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, and Freak, returns to Broadway with his latest work, Latin History for Morons, which officially opened November 15 at Studio 54.

The production has just extended an additional three weeks of performances.

Read: JOHN LEGUIZAMO’S LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS EXTENDS BROADWAY RUN ON OPENING NIGHT

The irreverent and incisive 90-minute solo play traces the marginalization of Latinos in U.S. history and the vital roles they played—from a satirical recap of Aztec and Incan history to stories of Latin patriots in the Revolutionary and Civil War and beyond.
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John Leguizamo Joan Marcus

Directed by Tony Taccone, Latin History for Morons began Broadway previews October 19 following acclaimed runs at Berkeley Repertory Theater and the Public Theater earlier this year.

Read reviews below. Check back for updates.

amNY (Matt Windman)

Broadway News (Elizabeth Bradley)

DCTheatreScene (Jonathan Mandell)

Entertainment Weekly (Dan Canfield)

Deadline (Jeremy Gerard)

Newsday (Barbara Schuler)

New York Daily News (Joe Dziemianowicz)

New York Magazine (Sara Holdren)

NY1 (Roma Torre)

New York Times (Jesse Green)

The Wrap (Robert Hoffler)

Latin History for Morons plays an extended engagement through February 25, 2018.

“The genesis [for the show] was that my son was being bullied at school,” Leguizamo told Playbill. “He was going to a fancy private school, and he was being picked on racially. I was like, ‘Wow, this is crazy.’ And I just wanted to give my son facts and words to protect himself. I wanted him to defend himself with words and not fisticuffs, and I tried to empower him with that. As I started doing research, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m actually the one who’s being educated and empowered, and my self worth is boosting. It’s not just my son, it’s me who’s growing as a man.’”

Read: HOW JOHN LEGUIZAMO TURNED HEARTBREAK INTO BROADWAY HISTORY

“You have so many emotions when you discover this stuff,” Leguizamo told Playbill. “First of all, you’re angered, then you’re heartbroken, and then you feel empowered. When I learned that we Latin people are the sons and daughters of the American Revolution... Cuban women in Virginia sold their jewelry to feed the patriots. Gálvez, the Latin general in New Orleans, gave $70,000 worth of weapons to George Washington. So we helped finance the American Revolution. Ten thousand Latinos fought. Venezuelans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and Mexicans fought in the American Revolution. You never hear about that. You never hear about those contributions.”

A limited number of $29 tickets are available through TodayTix app at 10 AM on the day of each performance. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. Get the TodayTix app here.

Latin History for Morons marks Leguizamo’s sixth solo venture, following his success on Broadway with Ghetto Klown and Freak (he earned Tony nominations for writing and starring in the latter), as well as Off-Broadway's Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, and Sexaholix…A Love Story. Mambo Mouth, Spic-O-Rama, Freak, and Ghetto Klown all went on to be filmed for presentation on HBO.

The production has scenic design by Rachel Hauck, lighting design by Alexander V. Nichols, and original music and sound design by Bray Poor.

Latin History for Morons is produced on Broadway by Nelle Nugent, Kenneth Teaton, The Public Theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Denoff Salmira Amigos-Jeremy Handelman/Ben DeJesus, Audible, Peter Fine, Jon B. Platt, Jamie deRoy, Melissa & Dan Berger, Stefany Bergson, Willette M. Klausner, Jose Mendez/Katie Graziano, Morwin Schmookler, and Avex International Inc.

(Updated November 15, 2017)

 
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