John Leguizamo’s ‘Latin History for Morons’ heads to TPAC November 15
Following its Tony-nominated hit Broadway run seen by tens of thousands, Tony Award winner John Leguizamo’s one-man play Latin History for Morons comes to TPAC November 15!
Latin History for Morons is inspired by the near total absence of Latinos from his son’s American History books. Leguizamo embarks on an outrageously funny, frenzied search to find a Latinhero for his son’s school history project. From a mad recap of the Aztec empire to stories of unknown Latin patriots of the Revolutionary War and beyond, Leguizamo breaks down the 3,000 years between the Mayans and Pitbull into 110 irreverent and uncensored minutes above and beyond his unique style.
Ben Brantley of The New York Times called Latin History for Morons a “surprisingly poignant one-man play that slyly poses sharp and timely questions of what culturally defines American identity and who, in the nationalistic age of Trump, has ‘the right’ to be here.”
Steven Suskin of The Huffington Post concluded, “John Leguizamo is back, as smart, provocative, bracing – and wise – as ever. In this dazzling comedic-philosophic evening of laughter, his Latin is lesson is a treat.”
Latin History for Morons concluded its successful run on Broadway on February 25, 2018. The original 16-week engagement was extended an additional three weeks on opening night, November 15, 2017. The production was the first play of the 2017-2018 season to recoup its entire capitalization.
Latin History for Morons marks theatre’s most prolific modern Latino playwright, Leguizamo’s sixth one-man venture onto the stage, following success on Broadway with “Ghetto Klown” (Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award), “Freak” (Drama Desk Award), “Sexaholix…A Love Story” (Tony nomination) and Off-Broadway with “Mambo Mouth” (Obie Award) and “Spic-O-Rama” (Drama Desk Award). “Mambo Mouth,” “Spic-O-Rama,” “Freak” and “Ghetto Klown” all went on to be filmed for presentation on HBO.
Fresh off the celebrated and financially successful Broadway run of “Ghetto Klown,” Leguizamo began his acclaimed work on Latin History for Morons. The play had its world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre followed by its New York premiere at The Public Theater. Directed by Tony Taccone (“Wishful Drinking,” “Bridge & Tunnel”), the Tony-nominated production of Latin History for Morons is written and performed by Leguizamo, featuring scenic design by Rachel Hauck, lighting design by Alexander V. Nichols, and original music and sound design by Bray Poor.
Tickets for Latin History for Morons go on sale Friday, Aug. 16, at TPAC.org, by phone at 615-782-4040, and at the TPAC Box Office, 505 Deaderick St., in downtown Nashville.
