Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The graphic novel adaptation of John Leguizamo's award-winning Broadway play--revised and expanded in paperback
In this graphic-novel adaptation of his award-winning Broadway memoir, John Leguizamo lays bare his life story, sharing memories of his early years as an actor on stage, on television, and in major motion pictures opposite some of Hollywood's biggest stars, such as Al Pacino, Patrick Swayze, and Steven Seagal, and working for directors Baz Luhrmann and Brian De Palma. Leguizamo opens up about his loves and marriages, while addressing self-doubt and melancholy in a way that enlightens and entertains. This revised and expanded paperback includes an all-new introduction by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
"Ghetto Klown is autobiographical dynamite--this is Leguizamo at his scathing, honest, moving, comedic best. Among the finest portraits of an artist as a young wounded talented man as I've read."
--Junot D az
"My main Johnny Legs has done it again. Ghetto Klown as a graphic novel? DOPENESS."
--Spike Lee
Synopsis
This graphic novel adaptation of the award-winning Broadway play Ghetto Klown "is autobiographical dynamite--this is Leguizamo at his scathing, honest, moving, comedic best. Among the finest portraits of an artist as a young wounded talented man as I've read" (Pulitzer Prize-winning author Junot D az). Tony Award winner John Leguizamo lays bare his life story in this graphic novel illustrated by artists Christa Cassano and Shamus Beyale. He shares memories of his early years as an actor on stage, on television, and in major motion pictures opposite some of Hollywood's biggest stars--including Al Pacino, Patrick Swayze, and Steven Seagal--and working for directors Baz Luhrmann and Brian De Palma. Leguizamo also opens up about his loves and marriages, while addressing self-doubt and melancholy in a way that enlightens and entertains.
" John] is a pioneer in theater and comedy, not just for Latin people, but as much as any comic or playwright I've ever seen or read. No one makes me laugh louder than this man. We are better because of him." --Sof a Vergara
"The graphic novel of Ghetto Klown captures the infectious spirit of John Leguizamo's live performances with the same surprising humor and cultural insight. These pages make John seem like the coolest super hero in New York." --Jesse Eisenberg
Synopsis
The graphic novel adaptation of John Leguizamo's award-winning Broadway play--revised and expanded in paperback, with an all-new introduction by Lin-Manuel Miranda In Ghetto Klown, nominated for a 2016 Eisner Award for Best Adaptation, John Leguizamo lays bare his early years, discovering acting, and his career trajectory. He shares his childhood memories and the challenges of balancing life with old friends from his lower-income neighborhood in Queens while trying to maintain a professional persona. He brings us onto the sets of TV series and major motion pictures opposite some of Hollywood's biggest stars, such as Al Pacino, Patrick Swayze, and Steven Seagal, and with directors like Baz Lurhrman and Brian DePalma. And Leguizamo opens up about his loves and marriages, while addressing his recurring feelings of self-doubt and melancholy in a way that enlightens and still entertains.
Originally staged on Broadway in 2011, Ghetto Klown won Leguizamo the Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Outstanding Solo Performance. The show was later adapted into a highly rated HBO special in March 2014. Teaming up with Brooklyn-based artists and illustrators Christa Cassano and Shamus Beyale, Leguizamo shares his life story as a vibrant, funny graphic novel memoir that is sure to reach a whole new audience in paperback. This revised and expanded edition includes an all-new introduction by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and cover art by Drew Friedman.