Tales from a Ghetto Klown

According to actor John Leguizamo, "theater is the extreme sport" of acting. Although Leguizamo is familiar to moviegoers from his work in films (such as Carlito's Way and Executive Decision), he has also written and starred in five one-man shows, including Mambo Mouth and Spic-O-Rama. His latest, Ghetto Klown, chronicles the "journey of an artist," depicting the joy and pain of discovering what it means to be a Latin actor in America. Ben DeJesus directs this PBS special on how Ghetto Klown was conceived, rehearsed, and refined during the long tryout process, taking the actor from California to an out-of-town opening during a Chicago blizzard, and finally to Broadway. Of course, even a one-man show requires collaborators, such as director and fellow actor Fisher Stevens, as well as a choreographer, and sound, set, and costume designers. Leguizamo describes comedy as an antidote to his often tough childhood, although a big challenge lies in getting the tone right, scaling back on the anger, and emphasizing instead hope and survival. After a fairly successful Broadway opening, the actor is challenged to take the show to his hometown of Bogatá, Colombia, performing it in Spanish (even though he is not fluent). Rosie Perez and others describe Leguizamo as part of a new breed of Latin actors helping to bring ethnic and working-class audiences to Broadway. DVD extras include bonus scenes. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)