The Works of John Leguizamo: Freak, Spic-o-rama, Mambo Mouth, and Sexaholix – The Emmy Award-Winning Collection of Candid and Intelligent One-Man Shows

by John Leguizamo

John Leguizamo's smash–hit one–man shows have been acclaimed by critics and fans alike. In this new Harper Paperback edition, all four shows are compiled into one phenomenally entertaining volume. Mambo Mouth (1991), Leguizamo's first show, was an off Broadway sensation. Leguizamo's portrayal of seven different Latino characters earned him both Obie and Outer Critics Circle awards. His follow up, Spic–O–Rama (1993), a "dysfunctional family comedy," presents 24–hours in the life of one family. It enjoyed a sold–out run in Chicago before relocating to New York where it won its creator a Drama Desk Award. Freak (1998), Leguizamo's Broadway debut, is his own coming–of–age story. A "demi–semi–quasi–pseudo–autobiography," the show was a critical and commercial success and won an Emmy when it was shown on TV. Sexaholix: A Love Story (2001), based on the sold–out national tour of John Leguizamo Live! was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award as well as a Tony Award. Alternately hilarious and poignant, always candid and searingly intelligent, The Works of John Leguizamo is a must–have for fans of this inimitable performer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Plays, Humor, Latinx, Comedy, Biography

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Thomas Knoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The man can write, of that there is no doubt. I saw Mambo Mouth the week it opened and I've rushed to see everything he's done since then.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a fan of non-fiction but I really did enjoy this book. If I have to read non-fiction for a challenge, I hope it is by this guy. It was an amusing ride, even if I could barely keep my eyes open since I was up all night searching for a book to fit said challenge.

[Susan Chow-Dukhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book contains the texts of four of John Leguizamo's stage shows; Freak, Spic-O-Rama, Mambo Mouth and Sexaholic, which were originally performed between 1990 and 2001.
Unlike reading a play, I find it difficult to rate the literary quality of this book. Having read this book, watched John Leguizamo perform in movies and watched him perform in more recent stage shows, I would rate him as an okay author, a good actor and an excellent live performer. The book does not do justice to his skills as a comedian. Mr. Leguizamo uses gestures, facial expressions, and his voice skills to bring his characters to life and elevate the humor to make an enjoyable audience experience that should not be missed. The difference between reading the text of his shows versus watching a live performance is like the difference between night and day.

[Jennifer Royan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic details about the noted shows. Good information if one is curious, but really unnecessary if you own the recordings.

[Filmandtv_bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love his Broadway shows! This book gives you the concept behind each show. I loved it!

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

every time i see Leguizamo i can't help but recall when i watched 'Freak' for the first time. i must have been a freshman in high school... and i'd come home from a friends house to find my mom watching it. didn't seem like her kind of thing, so i thought it must be alright. i sat down and was transfixed for the next... however long. while very funny, both my mom and i were crying at the end of the show. go figure.

he's so smart. a little sleazy... but clever... and relevant. or at least he was.

this is just a collection of his work - all of which, if we're honest, is just about the same - but it's fantastic to have it all in one place. it reads pretty well for straight dialogue (though i do think it's been adapted and isn't straight script) and it's helpful to have it in this format because there's definitely humourous moments you miss watching the performance because he can be quite spastic and when are jokes to be had, they come quickly.

all in all, i didn't love it because i still would rather watch him than read him... but the work is good either way. i'm glad that i was able to add this to my collection (and it was on sale).

[Russil Tamsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

All John's characters sound so believably messed up. He mines the same life story (his autobiography) in each of these four shows, but comes at it from different angles, some more fictionalized than others. Latino family ethics gets splayed unadorned all across the operating table, and that's a compelling draw for the Latino community. The immature ghetto smartass kid always shines through, though, even as his youth is contextualized by a more circumspect adult with pen in hand. Sometimes I think that if Eminem had been Spanish, but focused on acting instead of rap rhymes, he would have been like John. Legz doesn't want to wallow in or trumpet his own pain like Marshall; he's born of stand up comedy so his wounds (daddy issues, fear of love, etc) are instead springboards to the next punch line chuckle. And sometimes to a very poignant moment.

John's been one of my heroes. He sure can command a solo stage using only minimal props, shape-shifting in and out of sharply chiseled characters. DVD is the best way to appreciate his work, but I really enjoyed this book too.

[Slash Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who performs solo shows myself I thought this book was brilliant from both the writing side and the performance side. I learned a lot about staged memoir characterization and comedy from this book....And his personality really shines throughout. A really great read!

[Danneris Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. A great insight to the political, social and economical mindsets of a latino through the use of comedy. A must read

[Jamie Schoffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love his stand up and his one man shows, don't love it in book form. Still think it's worth a read for any of his fans.

[pianogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. I wish I could have seen the real show.