She Says: Latin History for Morons Is Intelligent Theatre

John Leguizamo photo by Joan Marcus

John Leguizamo’s new show Latin History for Morons, is seriously entertaining and thought provoking. Leguizamo makes a strong case for the Latin people having more rights to be in American’s than American’s.

John Leguizamo photo by Joan Marcus

It all starts out when Leguizamo’s eighth-grade son is bullied and called a Beaner by a racist classmate. He wants to help his son feel pride about his heritage. He gets his chance to help his son when he is given a school assignment to write about a hero. Leguizamo decides to show his son the Latin hero’s, but realizes he knows nada on the subject, so decides to research and in turns brings in the Mayans, Aztecs to the Inca’s letting us know this country was founded by Latin people. Latin’s are mostly Native-American’s, states Leguizamo and we are made to realize the amount of Native American DNA in most Latin’s. The problems begin when all it turns out all the Latin empires failed due to European disease or wiped out due to greed. His daughter adds to the comedy as he removes her headphones a permanent accessory, to get a smart condescending answer, that cuts to the matter. In a way this is secretly a comedy about bad parenting and living through it.

John Leguizamo photo by Joan Marcus

There are lines that are so funny and sadly truthful like; “Columbus was the Donald Trump of the Old World”

Leguizamo is like the energizer bunny that breaks into some cool and high power Latin beat dance moves. He manages to create an important discussions on race and intolerance, while discussing it as comedic theatre. Leguizamo’s brilliance has come a long way.

Tony Taccone, directs this piece with panache and flair. Rachel Hauck’s scenery is minimalist but effective. The original music and sound design by Bray Poor is seductive and just another reasons why Latin’s have contributed much to this melting pot called America.

This is a lesson we all need.

Latin History for Morons is at the Public Theater through April 23