The Public Theater Adds John Leguizamo's Solo Show 'LATIN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES' to 2016-17 Season

The Public Theater announced today that it will present the New York premiere of JOHN LEGUIZAMO: LATIN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES as part of The Public's 2016-17 season.

Directed by Tony Taccone, this fiercely funny, satirical one-man show created and performed by John Leguizamo was inspired by Leguizamo's observation that Latinos are essentially invisible in the standard American history curriculum. This insightful and hilarious, often over-looked version of American history, will premiere at The Public in spring 2017.

"Just imagine you're a white kid and all of a sudden everybody's Latin and everything they're teaching you is Latin and you don't hear anything about yourself or about your contributions," explained Leguizamo. "And it's really weird and unfair because we had huge contributions."

John Leguizamo was last seen at The Public in the 1987 productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and La Puta Vida Trilogy. His up close and personal solo shows about growing up in Queens and climbing to the top of the Hollywood ladder earned him scores of fans and accolades - and an Emmy and Obie Award. In LATIN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES, the outrageous, multifaceted performer schools his son - and the rest of us - on the marginalization of Latinos in U.S. history and the vital roles they played in building this country. From a satirical recap of Aztec and Incan history to stories of Latin patriots in the Revolutionary and Civil War and beyond, Leguizamo breaks down 3,000 years into 90 irreverent and uncensored minutes in his trademark comedic style. LATIN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES is a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

"John Leguizamo is one of the great talents of his generation, a comedian and actor who has pushed the boundaries of theater and performance to new heights and depths," said Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. "Tony Taccone has been my comrade, friend, and colleague for more than 35 years, a leader in our field and a fiercely gifted director. What a joy to welcome them back to The Public."

Tickets to LATIN HISTORY FOR DUMMIES will go on sale later in the year. Public Theater memberships are currently available for a tax-deductible donation of $65 and can be accessed by calling (212) 967-7555, www.publictheater.org, or in person at the Taub Box Office at The Public Theater at Astor Place at 425 Lafayette Street; Public Theater members get early access to tickets before they go on sale to the general public as well as other benefits.