The Ghetto Scholar Explains It All For You

Latin History for Morons – Broadway in Chicago

In an almost two-hour, nonstop performance, the seemingly tireless ball of fire known as John Leguizamo, transforms himself into an instructor of American History—the REAL American History, as he puts it. In his one-man show, Leguizamo examines 3,000 years of Latino history in an attempt to educate us, along with his bullied, 8th grade son. Throughout his presentation, the actor/author informs, questions, challenges and sometimes humorously berates the audience, all the while taking us through centuries of virtually unknown or forgotten facts about scores of famous people and events. It’s a highly exciting and extremely entertaining educational experience that reminds theatergoers of the scope of this actor’s unlimited talent.

At this dark time in our history, when the President and his cronies are ripping Latinx families apart and putting the children of these asylum seekers in cages, as a means of warning Mexican and Central American immigrants to stay away from this country, Leguizamo’s presentation is particularly timely. When most Americans are clueless about the importance of Cinco de Mayo, except as an excuse to drink margaritas and eat nachos, it’s time to acknowledge the importance of Latinos in the annals of history. And when Latino kids still don’t see many characters who look like them on movie and TV screens, or even represented in American history books, this prolific author and actor decides it’s the perfect time to take his one-man Broadway show and Netflix special on the road.

Leguizamo’s presentation revolves around his middle school son, one of several characters the actor portrays in this production. The boy is a gentle soul who’s being mercilessly  bullied because of his Puerto Rican heritage. Leguizamo feels it’s high time his son (and the audience) learns about his heritage, especially since he needs to find a hero about whom to do a school project. He sums up the importance of the Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations. He breathes life into the Latino heroes of the American Revolution, the Civil War, WWI and WWII, as well as the Civil Rights Movement. The Cadillac Palace stage is turned into a classroom, filled with all kinds of books, electronic devices and a giant, two-sided chalkboard. There are props and costume pieces strewn everywhere, which the actor cleverly employs in his lecture. Leguizamo has smartly modified his considerable talent as a standup comedian into an effective and powerful teacher. Suddenly the class clown has gone to the head of the class.

Through John Leguizamo’s brash style and adult humor, coupled with an unchanging boyish likability, the actor delivers his impressive crash course in Latino history. He exalts the wealth of material, that we tend to forget, available to us in libraries and bookstores. He quotes from several important, more inclusive history tomes, such as A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn. In fact, every Playbill contains an extraordinary syllabus that offers dozens of book titles, from which audiences can learn more about Latino history. From this energized, one-man production, now part of an excellent National Tour, the ghetto scholar will happily explain it all to you.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 29-November 3 by Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre 151 W. Randolph, Chicago.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, the BIC Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.