Spic-O-Rama: A Dysfunctional Comedy
by John Leguizamo

Off-Broadway
Spic-O-Rama: A Dysfunctional Comedy Book Cover
Spic-O-Rama: A Dysfunctional Comedy Cover

Highlights

90 mins Present Day Role(s) for Latine Actor(s) Expandable Casting Strong Role for Leading Man (Star Vehicle) Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle) Bare Stage/Simple Set Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes Comedy

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk Award Lucille Lortel Award

Winner! 1992 Dramatists Guild Hull-Warriner Award for Best Play Winner! Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway Nominee: 1992-1993 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance in a One-Person Show Winner! 1993 Special Theatre World Award for Outstanding New Talent

Synopsis

The members of a Latino family in Jackson Heights, New York, are preparing for the wedding of the family’s oldest son.

These include the precocious youngest son, the wayward brother pining for a woman he took for granted, a brother who feels like an outsider, a very tired matriarch and the father that was a father despite his best intentions.

As they confide their dreams, grudges and regrets with frank, full-bodied, full-hearted voices, the play leads to a wedding that almost everyone is surprised is actually happening.

As each takes a turn, the audience sees more and more of the psychology of a household that may give a new meaning to “dysfunctional.”

Originally all played by just one actor, the varied points of view in this play contribute to the diverse, comedic whole – and can now be expanded to be portrayed by any number of actors.

Press Reviews

"Hilarious... A full psychological portrait of a household that may give new meaning to the Spanish word for dysfunctional."

— The New York Times

"Phenomenal… Leguizamo has created the script that propels him into this alternately hilarious, scathing and heartrending satire."

— Chicago Sun-Times

"A self-reflective, comic and theatrical celebration of Latinohood... Leguizamo’s writing indicates an insight into Latino family life which only an insider could offer and an eloquent writer could adequately express."

— Metrópico

"Compelling… Leguizamo has a flair for the ironic throwaway that leaves an echo of poignancy after the laugh."

— New York Newsday

"Mesmerizing… The laughs [Leguizamo] provokes seem filtered through ground glass, as if to make your soul bleed."

— Variety

Characters

Character
Krazy Willie
Rafael
Javier
Gladyz
Felix
Miggy

Videos

Spic-O-Rama – “Spit Basketball”

Publication

ISBN-13 9780822244318
ISBN-10 0822244314

Spic-O-Rama: A Dysfunctional Comedy is a comedy play written by John Leguizamo and published by Dramatists Play Service .

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