2018 was a particularly good year for writer/actor John Leguizamo. His most recent play, Latin History for Morons, was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play. While he didn’t win that category, Leguizamo was the recipient of a special Tony Award for the play, his performance in it and his lengthy career of doing one-man shows tackling the issues of our time. Latin History for Morons begins previews on Thursday at the Ahmanson Theatre where it will continue through October 20th. (Official opening night is Sunday, September 8th).
You’re probably thinking to yourself why pay to see the play when it has already been filmed and is readily available on Netflix? There are two reasons to see the show. First and foremost it is an opportunity to see Leguizamo do what he does best in person. He is a brilliant actor and few people come close to entertaining an audience the way he does while still offering them up a healthy dose of reality.
The second reason is the Netflix film excludes fifteen minutes of material you can only see when attending the play. The play runs one hour and fifty minutes with no intermission. Once Leguizamo gets going, you don’t want to stop and I’m sure he doesn’t either.
Tony Taccone, who directed the world premiere of Latin History for Morons at Berkeley Repertory in 2016, and who directed the Broadway production, directs the tour. Most of the remaining stops on the tour are one day or very brief runs. This booking at the Ahmanson is the longest single stop for the show.
If you don’t know that Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of victory over French troops in 1862, rather than justification for an excessive consumption of tequila at your local bar, Latin History for Morons will have you doubled over in laughter while realizing there’s a lot you just don’t know.
For tickets go here.
Photo by Matthew Murphy/Courtesy of Center Theatre Group.