A DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE TITLE

Ghetto Klown

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  1 any gender (adult) plus ensemble

In a retrospective on his career, John Leguizamo delves into how he started performing, from attending a tiny acting class on the fringes of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen to using his life as inspiration for his own one-man shows.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1 any gender (adult) plus ensemble
  • Duration
    Duration
    90 minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2011 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance

Ghetto Klown

Details

Summary

In a retrospective on his career, John Leguizamo delves into how he started performing, from attending a tiny acting class on the fringes of Manhattan’s Hell’s Kitchen to using his life as inspiration for his own one-man shows. All the success comes with ramifications, though: family, finances, and ego are all hit hard when his career’s trajectory becomes unclear. Originally performed as a one-man show, but now in a flexible-cast version, Ghetto Klown embraces Leguizamo’s trademark honesty and humor, proving the only way through life is forward.

History

Ghetto Klown premiered on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre in February 2011.

JOHNNY
LISSETTE
JOHNO
SEAGAL
MOMS
STAGE MANAGER
POPS
PACINO
RAYRAY
TEENY
MR. ZUFAS
DIRECTOR
TWEETY
PATRICK
LEE
WESLEY
GRAMPS
NETWORK EXECUTIVE
IRVING
BENICIO
SON
BAZ
SEAN
LUCAS
DE PALMA
BOOBOO
EMCEE MIGUEL ALGARIN

Though Ghetto Klown was originally staged as a one-person show, and the stage directions in this script reflect a solo performance, the play may be done with any number of actors.

Though Ghetto Klown was originally staged as a one-person show, and the stage directions in this script reflect a solo performance, the play may be done with any number of actors.

  • Time Period Contemporary, 1990s, 1980s, 1970s, 1960s
  • Setting

    Various stages in John’s life.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 90 minutes

Media

“Enlivened by substantial doses of Mr. Leguizamo’s brash, impish humor, the twisted showboating of a grown-up kid who knows he should stop cracking jokes but keeps doing it anyway.” – The New York Times

“A pro at this type of confessional memoir. He tells a punchy story.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“From soliloquies on hijacked subway intercoms to landing a role in a major production to ultimately becoming disillusioned with the industry, Leguizamo explores compelling issues like the casting travails of Latino actors and his fear of selling out. But he also relies on the backstage titillation of tell-allism.” – Entertainment Weekly

Videos

  • Ghetto Klown – HBO Trailer youtube thumbnail

    Ghetto Klown – HBO Trailer

  • Ghetto Klown – Patrick Swayze youtube thumbnail

    Ghetto Klown – Patrick Swayze

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

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Authors

John Leguizamo

Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo has appeared in over 100 films and countless television shows while establishing a career that defies categorization. With boundless and visceral creativity, his work in film, theatre, television, and literature covers a variety of genres, con ...
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