2009–10 season > Fireworks—John Leguizamo

Klass Klown

written and performed by john leguizamo
presented by westbeth entertainment and berkeley repertory theatre
fireworks festival | thrust stage
june 1–12, 2010

Running time: 2 hours and 25 minutes,
including one 15 minute intermission

Emmy and Obie Award-winning performer John Leguizamo thrills audiences as he gets up close and personal in his new, uncensored, uninhibited tour-de-force. Klass Klown explodes with energy in the trademark style Leguizamo brought to outrageous shows such as Freak, Sexaholix and Spic-O-Rama. He takes audiences on a nonstop fever-pitch adventure, heating up the stage with vivid accounts of where he’s been and the colorful characters that shaped his life. From his adolescence in New York to the outrageous theatre scene of the ‘80s to anecdotes about major movies and roles opposite Hollywood’s biggest stars, Klass Klown is in turns uproarious and heartfelt. Leguizamo lays it bare for anyone that comes along for the ride.

John Leguizamo’s first solo shows, Mambo Mouth and Spic-O-Rama, became off-Broadway sensations. The next two—Freak and Sexaholix—hit Broadway before being made into successful films. Leguizamo has been seen in countless movies including Casualties of War, Dr. Doolittle, Moulin Rouge, Summer of Sam and William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet.

free tastings before the show

Join us in the courtyard one hour before every performance for a free tequila tasting with Berkeley’s own award-winning Tres Agaves Tequila! Come taste a Tres Agaves margarita with the founders of Tres Agaves!

meet john!

John Leguizamo will sign copies of his autobiography and a collection of his scripts after most performances. He’ll sign before the performance on Saturday, June 12, from 6pm to 7pm. His autobiography and collected works are available for purchase, although supplies are limited. The café counter will be serving food and drink, and music will be playing. Party on!

performance times and prices

June 1 / 8pm
June 2 / 7pm
June 3 / 8pm
June 4 / 8pm
June 5 / 8pm
June 6 / 7pm
June 8 / 8pm
June 9 / 7pm
June 10 / 8pm
June 11 / 8pm
June 12 / 8pm

Tickets regularly $35 / $17.50 for under 30 / $28 for groups of 15+

the buzz

“A writer and performer with electric energy, biting wit and a gift for explosive physical comedy.”—CNN

“Even more impressive than Leguizamo’s acting is his writing…Leguizamo turns stereotypes into rounded, real people and brings them under one roof.”—Time

“Leguizamo is not so much a stand-up comic as a jump-up, lie-down, throw-yourself-against-the-wall comic. The electric energy and physical precision with which he invests every movement takes the performance into realms the script doesn’t go…There’s a whole city of people inside this young man’s slender frame. And there is indeed something supernatural—or freakish, to use Leguizamo’s own term—about the intensity of focus and energy with which each takes the stage…Leguizamo carries on four- and five-person dialogues without any noticeable clicks of transition. One moment he is clearly and unconditionally one person; one moment he’s another. It’s as simple and unfathomable as that…There’s no way you’re not going to pay attention.”—New York Times

John Leguizamo

Also in the Fireworks festival

multimedia

Man of a million voices, John Leguizamo invites you to see his autobiographical solo show Klass Klown.

Visit John Leguizamo’s official website for a behind-the-scenes peek at his new show