Performance Review: ‘Latin History for Morons’
I had mixed feelings about attending a performance of Latin History for Morons. Prior to my decision, I weighed the pros and cons. In the cons column: it’s a one-man show (I don’t typically enjoy them), it’s 110 minutes with no intermission, and it’s about history. The pros: it features Tony Award-winner John Leguizamo, and I think it’s safe to say he’s the king of the one-man show. So yes, I was in.
The stage is equipped with an old-school chalkboard, which Leguizamo utilizes as he educates the “morons” of the title (yep, that’s us in the audience) in a lecture style through about 3,000 years of Latin history. It’s a history lesson that most of us will likely find elucidating and fascinating. Stacks of books are piled and scattered about on-stage. It’s in these texts that Leguizamo—after finding out that his son is being bullied by a racist boy in class—hopes to find a historical Latin hero for his son‘s middle-school project.
Unfortunately, our modern-day textbooks aren’t big on divulging the atrocities inflicted upon the indigenous peoples in Latin history as well as major contributions from them. Both have been almost entirely wiped clean from American history lessons. The facts and events presented in the show resonate powerfully in light of current events, and Leguizamo doesn’t waste the opportunity to connect history with the realities of life today as an Latin American in Trump-era America. “Those who cannot remember their past are doomed to repeat it,” as the saying goes.
Its poignancy aside, the show is also packed with entertainment and humor. Leguizamo does impersonations, draws (sometimes lewd) pictures, cracks (sometimes R-rated) jokes, wears costumes, and busts a move or two. You’ll laugh, chuckle, and howl in-between moments of discomfort, anger and sadness. I’m not a laugh-out-loud theatre goer, but I did just that over the entire, nearly two-hour-long show.
Director Tony Taccone (who directed the complete seven-hour Angels in America at the Mark Taper Forum in 1992) succeeds in keeping the production taut, well-paced, and relatively reined in. Leguizamo is relentless in his enthusiasm, energy, and showmanship, and through his conviction, he’s created a work of genius.
A question I often ask after seeing theatre is, “So what? Does this show pass the ‘so what’ test?” It’s obvious that it did—and with flying colors. This is theatre of enlightenment and entertainment at its finest.
My favorite words of wisdom, relayed by Leguizamo from his older daughter about her brother’s bully, are too irresistible not to relate: “If a bully is like sandpaper, he is going to hurt you. But in the end, he will wear out, and you will be polished.”
Latin History for Morons
Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Runs through Oct. 20. 8 p.m. Tuesdays–Fridays; 2 & 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sundays. There are exceptions! (check theater website for latest times) $30-$135
213-972-4400, www.CenterTheatreGroup.org
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Laurie Records (Casting Director, CCDA) has been working in the commercial realm since 2004. In 2009, Laurie launched her own company. While she casts all types of commercials, she has broadened her horizons to include casting web content for network television, television hosts, industrials and dabbles in film from time to time. Laurie also teaches one-day online commercial classes almost every month. Instagram: @commercialclassesbylaurie @laurierecordscasting
