by Tim Leininger

John Leguizamo in THE OTHER AMERICANS, written by John Leguizamo and directed by RubenSantiago-Hudson, at The Public Theater. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

John Leguizamo has long been known for his comedic performances on stage, be it his one man shows like Freak, Sexaholix, Ghetto Klown, Latin History for Morons, or his work in progress, Kiss My, Aztec! But he has also been known to dabble in the more dramatic. He played Walter in David Mamet’s American Buffalo in 2008, and let’s not forget his turns in films like Land of the Dead and Romeo + Juliet, where frankly, his Tybalt was the best part of the movie. His ability to bounce between humor and drama with seemingly unerring ease has made him an icon.

            He has now returned to the stage at The Public Theater with what may be the most important piece of theater he’s ever been involved with, not only in the narrative sense, but also for its raising awareness of the Latinx voice in the spirit of renown playwrights like Arthur Miller and August Wilson with his new play The Other Americans, running through Nov. 9 at the theater at 425 Lafayette St. in New York City.

John Leguizamo, Bradley James Tejeda, Sarah Nina Hayon, and Luna Lauren Velez in THE OTHERAMERICANS, written by John Leguizamo and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, at The Public Theater.Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

            This aim for making a play in the vein of Miller or Wilson is present in the title itself, two giants in American theater who tended toward writing family tragedies like All My Sons or Fences. Leguizamo, who has written this new work, swings for the fences with this piece bringing the Latinx voice to the table.

            Like its progenitors, The Other Americans centers around a family with a patriarch with big dreams but can’t seem to grasp that American Dream that is always just elusive, with someone or something external to blame for his failures, unwilling to look within at his own shortcomings. This father, Nelson, played by Leguizamo, inherited along with his sister, Norma (Rosa Evangelina Arredondo), a flourishing laundromat business from their father, with multiple locations across New York City. In an attempt to parlay their success, Nelson has moved his family to the more affluent — and whiter — Forest Hills. But the bills are due, and his investment strategies aren’t paying off. Meanwhile, his son, Nick, played by Trey Santiago-Hudson — who happens to be the son of the play’s director Ruben Santiago-Hudson — is returning home from a mental wellness facility due to a traumatic event that happened to him. Nelson’s daughter, Toni (Rebecca Jimenez) is about to get married to Eddie (Bradley James Tejeda) a rather milquetoast man who spends more time trying to win the favor of Nelson than being a partner to his betrothed. The longsuffering matriarch of the family, Patti (Luna Lauren Velez), spends her time trying to get the wedding planned while also dealing with Nelson’s erratic behavior with the finances, and preparing for the return of her son.

Rosa Evangelina Arredondoand John Leguizamo in THE OTHER AMERICANS, written by JohnLeguizamo and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, at The Public Theater. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

Like Joe Keller and Troy Maxson, Nelson is his own worst enemy, and as hopeful as the play starts with an impending wedding and a family reunion, his hubris threatens the fabric of the household, leading to tragedy. The story echoes the familiar beats that lovers of the great American playwrights will recognize. In that sense, it may come off as too familiar to some, or unoriginal. But there hasn’t been a prominent play like this from the Latinx perspective and addressing the truth that their experience of the great American tragedy is just as real to them as anyone else. Leguizamo adds themes of gender roles in the traditional Latinx family, the failure of the United States healthcare system, and the penchant of corruption through capitalism to give the play additional depth. These aren’t superfluous, but essential to advance the narrative.

            Though yes, this is an American drama in the classic sense, and it hits with some very dramatic moments, Leguizamo does get his signature wit infused into the story whenever possible to add as much levity as possible, particularly in his portrayal of the quick talking, hard drinking Nelson, always quick with a joke to deflect something more serious that he doesn’t want to directly address. Most of this happens with Patti, and Luna Lauren Velez and Leguizamo have a delightful chemistry and a balance of power that they give their characters as their motivations demand. The other cast members are solid. Trey Santiago-Hudson does a lot of heavy lifting as the mentally ill Nick. There’s a sensitivity that he has to hold onto without letting it become too melodramatic, and he dances with that line pretty closely. It was nice to see him after the show speaking with audience members who shared their own experiences with mental illness and expressing their appreciation for his sensitive performance.

John Leguizamo and Luna Lauren Velez in THE OTHER AMERICANS, written by John Leguizamo anddirected by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, at The Public Theater. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.

            The Anspacher Theater at The Public is a three-quarter stage and the set, designed by Arnulfo Maldonado, feels too big for this space and needs some room to breathe. Though I like the concept of having the barred front windows down at the top of the show right in front of the audience, making us outsiders looking in, and creating a symbolic prison for the family — they raise as the show beings — everything else feels cramped and the upstage set pieces like the pool and picnic table feel out of reach from the audience. Ruben Santiago-Hudson does some miracle work as a director to navigate the actors around the stage, keeping them moving as much as possible to never upstage one side of the house for too long. I do hope the show advances to a Broadway stage, not just for the fact that it is a great play and deserves it, but also that it will give the set design the space it deserves.

            Leguizamo has spent his career giving a voice to a community that is oft overlooked, and with The Other Americans has presented us his most mature work yet. Time will tell whether or not it will have a legacy like the great works of Miller and Wilson. I certainly hope it does.

THE OTHER AMERICANS

TICKETS: https://publictheater.org/

PRODUCTION

Written by John Leguizamo

Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson

Scenic Design: Arnulfo Maldonado

Costume Design: Kara Harmon

Lighting Design: Jen Schriever

Sound Design: Justin Ellington

Original Music: Ricky Gonzalez

Hair and Wig Design: Anika Settu

Prop manager: Natalie Carney

Fight Director: Thomas Schall

Intimacy Coordinator: Ann C. James

Choreographer: Lorna Ventura

Production Dramaturg: Jack Phillips Moore

Voice and Text Coach: Julie Congress

Casting: Caparelliotis Casting: David Caparelliotis CSA/Joe Gery

Production Stage Manager: James Latus

Line Producer: Emma McSharry

Company Manager: Grace Chariya

Production Manager: Cristina Ayón-Viesca

CAST (in alphabetical order)

Rosa Evangelina Arredondo as Norma

Sarah Nina Hayon as Veronica

Rebecca Jiminez as Toni

John Leguizamo as Nelson

Trey Santiago-Hudson as Nick

Bradley James Tejeda as Eddie

Luna Lauren Velez as Patti