Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – In THE OTHER AMERICANS, John Leguizamo puts a distinctively Latin twist on the classic kitchen sink drama

• By drediman
• September 26, 2025
• No Comments

Last night, John Leguizamo’s new play The Other Americans opened Off-Broadway at The Public Theater’s Anspacher Theater (the show is a co-presentation with Washington, DC’s Arena Stage). Those of you familiar with Leguizamo’s stage appearances will know that he is perhaps best known for creating and appearing in caustic and hilarious solo shows like Latin History for Morons (my history with his theatrical work goes way back to Freak more than a quarter of a century ago). In a departure for this venerable comic talent and social commentator, he has now penned a serious minded full-fledged play, taking inspiration from the classic kitchen sink drama blueprint, but imbuing it with a uniquely Latin flair.

More specifically, it seems as if Leguizamo has taken his cue from Arthur Miller’s iconic American family tragedies like Death of a Salesman and All My Sons. There’s no denying that The Other Americans generates considerable power once the dramatic gears start turning and the plot reveals its tragic dimensions, particularly as it relates to its morally conflicted patriarch (played by Leguizamo), his long-suffering wife, and their traumatized children — but all through the lens of a seemingly well-adjusted, upwardly mobile Latino family based in Queens. However, this also means that there’s more than a hint of familiarity in the play’s sturdily structured trajectory, which even Leguizamo’s lively writing can’t shake off. That being said, the play does effectively address some topical issues of the day, namely the toxic pressures of capitalism, mental illness, and racism.

Despite some of my reservations about the work, Leguizamo’s boisterous and engaging onstage energy is unstoppable and unmistakable. He continues to be a force of nature — Hurricane Leguizamo, if you will — and you can’t take your eyes off him. Unfortunately, his cast mates — despite some solid work all around (especially Luna Lauren Velez, who gives an affecting performance as the family’s matriarch) — don’t quite rise to his level of magnetism. Suffice to say, the play doesn’t quite sing whenever he’s offstage. The direction by Ruben Santiago-Hudson is serviceable, although Arnulfo Maldonado’s domestic set design at times obstructs the view of the action, particularly if you are seated in one of the side blocks of the Anspacher.

RECOEMMENDED

THE OTHER AMERICANS
Off-Broadway, Play
The Public Theater
2 hours, 15 minutes (with one intermission)
Through October 26