John Leguizamo: Freak

After seeing this routine by John Leguizamo, I finally realize why he is such a talent. I enjoy great stage work, and this is stage work at its best. I cannot label it as a stand-up routine, because Leguizamo is so intense when playing the different characters. The only time he breaks character is when it is necessary for him to complete his part in which he does so coolly, that you cannot help, but appreciate his talents. I wasn't really sure how I felt about him as an actor, but Freak solidified my appreciation of him. For those out there that have not had the opportunity to see this show, I feel for you. Definitely check it out. It is one of the nest routines I have ever seen. Ranks with Eddie Murphy, Bill Cosby and Chris Rock. Four stars and more.

This is such an interesting one-man show... I cannot recommend it more. Not for its material, or its qualities to make us analyze our own life or whatever people are saying in these posts. The actual things that are being said in the show by Leguizamo are sometimes easy to go by. This is not the result of writing prowess. This is the result of dramatic stage genius. It is all... every single bit of it... placed on Leguizamo's talent on stage. His power is not in his one-liners, in his story development, in his critical mind, but in his physical talents and his genius use of not only space, but dramatic characterization and 'space' within characters. I'm not saying he is just funny physically. He is a physical creator on all senses and terms. This is, therefore, the most interesting stand-up comedy act I have ever seen. It isn't really one, actually. It is, yes, but it extends the parameters, the possibilities in such ways that all you say is, 'why does nobody ever think of things like these... why is stand-up comedy so dull'. This isn't dull. Leguizamo is at a creative peak in his performance. And that is gold. He has what any other straight up stand-up comedian lacks. And that is dramatic intelligence. So you've got a comedic act that without shining on paper, shines put to life. A true play of sorts. The reasons why maybe, after watching this, you will not like him, or consider it bad, are more on a personal level, I think... Leguizamo is really in your face on this one. And if you find him the least bit annoying, then that will be the end of this performance in your eyes. Still, it will open your mind in one simple matter: that stand-up comedy as we know it is limited. This is far beyond 'stand-up comedy as we know it', and could be, perhaps, a nice future to a dead-end formula.

I had the opportunity to sit down and watch the 1998 stand-up comedy special "John Leguizamo: Freak" again here in 2024. I have watched it once before, but that is many, many years ago. And thus, I only vaguely remembered it. Thus, I opted to sit down and watch it again here in 2024, as the opportunity presented itself.

This 1998 show is nothing short of phenomenal. It is 89 minutes of pure fun and laughter. John Leguizamo is really an amazingly talented guy. Not only is he capable of acting, but he also has great comedy talent, dancing, and is good at accents and portraying very caricatured characters. And that made "John Leguizamo: Freak" all the more enjoyable and fun to sit through

The contents in the show are good, well-written and crammed with funny situations and characters. And the way that John Leguizamo delivers the material and portrays the various characters is just fantastic.

I had so many genuine and good laughs throughout the course of 89 minutes that the show ran for.

If you haven't already seen "John Leguizamo: Freak", and if you get the chance, then you definitely should do so, especially if you like stand-up comedy.

My rating of "John Leguizamo: Freak" lands on a well-deserved nine out of ten stars.

If you've ever seen John Leguizamo in "Freak", than you know what it is to watch a man give of his soul for two hours.

Creating a unique hybrid of every kind of one-man show performance ever, Leguizamo tells us the abridged story of his life, and goes out of his way (with a riveting, touching, hilarious performance) to cushion the many blows he has to reveal for an audience so unsuspecting of a damaged genius.

Directed for television by Spike Lee, John's *stage* performance was nominated for a Tony in 1998 for Best Actor In A Play (he lost to Anthony LaPaglia). His past show, "Spic-O-Rama", showed a diversity to play the eccentric characters of his life. But "Freak" proves something much greater: on such a fluid, risky platform as a one-man show with nearly no blackouts, Leguizamo can express emotions that are not yet eccentric or dull, but real. To see him give child abuse a whimsical perspective leaves a mark on you.

This is what he will be remembered for.

*****

This is the kind of humor John Leguizamo is really good at. He is a very talented comedian, and if his life was actually like this growing up then I have a whole new respect for him, even after the Pest. If he could have had this kind of humor in the Pest it would have been a great movie.