A One-Man Show For Dummies.
Montague and Capulet gangs clash straight outside a Los Angeles gas station. It ain't all love like Romeo and the one who asked him, "where art thou"?! Petroleum passion fuels their fire. Words are exchanged. Thumbs are bit. Guns are drawn. People run to their cars, the nozzles still in the fuel caps. And then the finest pair of shoes you've ever hoped to at least try on comes out the signature ringing station door and then it all goes quiet. The only sound is the swept cruch of his heel putting out the smoke from his discarded cigarette. John Leguizamo silences them all. With his talk of hating things like peace...and thee. And then he reaches inside his blazer jacket and it looks like it's all over. But it's only just begun baby. He shoots, spins, ducks, dives. Flys?! And then he pulls off his jacket and throws it away in a fast cutting Baz Lurhman trick of the trade, technique instant. As he pauses to kiss the Virgin Mary on the holster of his sidearm with passion. It's pure poetry amongst all the anarchy. Why are we saying this right now? Our Tybalt tribute to 90's classic 'Romeo + Juliet' and the veteran actor and one of the hardest doing so in Hollywood, who even stole this Shakespeare show from Leo DiCaprio. A man who reunited with Baz in Paris for 'Moluin Rouge' and has starred in every other film you've seen. From 'Carlito's Way' to 'The Infiltrator'. From 'John Wick' to 'To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything'. 'Ice Age' to...erm 'Super Mario Bros'. We're saying this in short because the legend Leguizamo is well, in a turn of phrase...cool as f###!
Lurhman's lasting legacy of Bard rewrote legend set in the modern day was a metaphor for more substance behind all that oil slick style. Like the use of guns instead of swords as they bare arms. It wasn't for gratutious purposes, but pointed ones. And the Montague and Capulet families? Notice we used the word "gangs"?! Like Shakespeare's original scribes playing to the class conflicts in society, Baz brought the issue of cultural divides back to the forefront of our multiplying consciousness. Like more so today in a Twitter trend of turning the tide of social commentary and turning white privlege in on itself. From the 'Oscars So White's protest to the critically important 'Black Lives Matter' movement. A time today where we are still searching and striving for equality. Saying 'Times Up' to those who harass or abuse and giving victims who say 'Me Too' a voice. For all the stands people have made against discrimination and racism however. And for all the celebration of culture we finally get at black-tie affairs like the Oscars. It still needs to be as real as all the glittery speeches and Twitter toasts once the cameras and cell phone illuminated screens are shut off. And there are still communities and cultures not feeling the love, or embrace of equality. Like Asians (praise the lord for BTS). Or Latinos. Or we could go on. But perhaps it's time we all did. And now one of the all-time, still ever so underrated greats of stage and screen, from Broadway to Hollywood, John Leguizamo is taking us to school. Following his countless books, not to forget movies and showstopping one man shows in play (like his 'Ghetto Klown' classic this writer was fortunate to catch off the West End on a chance trip to London some half decade back), dear John is back and anti-hallmark as devoted as ever. Fuelling his passion project into the spotlight of true theatre for the movie star. Which is now streaming for everyone to see and feel in close stage left camera work, for the new day entertainment giant Netflix who released a brand new Chris Pine movie the same morning (I know he shows his d### people, but you can watch 'Outlaw King' after this). Johnny's got that "and chill" money now baby. A class of his own is in session. Quiet infront.
And take notes because this is a damn education. Or as he really calls it 'Latin History For (F######) Morons'. Dressed in a tweed blazer ensemble that's a few elbow patches away from being something the late, great Robin Williams' professor character in 'Good Will Hunting' would be proud of, Leguizamo is really learning us a lesson. As he empathically chalks and claps away on the blackboard, stuff so satirically scathing it hits your raw nerve as well it should. Like when Whoopi ran her nails down one in that scratching 'Sister Act' movie moment that sang all the way to it's own Broadway production. Critically compelling and as creatively cluttered with facts and anecdotes, like the awesome aesthetic of the paper spilled filling cabinets and desks overturned with notebooks full to the margins, there is so much more to this in all its props. Sure like the man commanding the stage like he does every picture he is film framed in, this show is funny as...sorry we have to curse one more time to give you the real feeling...f###. But like anything this man does there's meaning behind it. Whether we get it or not. And like any stand up guy who knows comedy is all about tragedy too, he will make you laugh and cry. So long as you are really listening. But it's almost impossible to not be in the rapture of this man's attention like it's a mission to try and get people off their phones these days in stage. But when theirs heads are finally up to the front of class, than you know everyone is dialled in. Johnny Legz brings back his old school friends and family of characters stoties in inspired imitation and keeps that accented, voice-work going as he makes an influential impression Whether you'll end up offended, or taught heart behind the humour as intended like the show of Dave Chappelle. But wait until he takes on Trump, or any previous President who has either just as contributed by turning a blind eye, or actually played and been a part of the cultural genocide many try to ignorantly ignore with a bliss like it doesn't exist. Like those who tried to bury the beautiful Oscar Isaac movie 'The Promise' which shows the kept dedication of the Armenian people after their own genocide, world leaders still refuse to say to this day happened. There's so much to quote and take from this man and his show. Like his "books are my drug of choice" ode (word?!) as he takes us through all the text that shouldn't be rewrote in "real" schools and sanitized classrooms. Or something his "Buddy honey" son, seemingly smarter than us all said. "Violence is the lowest form of communication". Believe that. Now take that home with you. You've got work to do. Class dismissed. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
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