John Leguizamo’s ‘Ghetto Klown’ Coming to HBO

Well known comedian an actor John Leguizamo is set to film his one-man show entitled Ghetto Klown at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center’s Victoria Theatre November 16, according to reports from Deadline.com. The show will be filmed for an upcoming HBO special, though no air dates for the special have been released.

The production originally opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre on February 21, 2011. There it played 25 previews and 95 total performances before it closed on July 10, 2011. It is directed by Fisher Stevens who was also responsible for the successful 2012 Broadway production. Arnold Engelman, who produced the live show, will handle producing duties for the taped version of the show.

Ghetto Klown is based upon Leguizamo’s memoir entitled Pimps, Hos, Playa Hatas, and All the Rest of My Hollywood Friends: My Life. It tells the story of his journey from obscurity to fame. A 2012 PBS documentary entitled Tales From a Ghetto Klown traced Leguizamo’s life and the making of his one-man show. In 2013, Leguizamo co-wrote and starred in a movie entitled Fugly! which was loosely based on Ghetto Klown.

Leguizamo has had a very successful career over the years. He received Tony nominations for Best Play and Best Actor for his one-man show entitled Freak. He has also appeared in the Broadway productions of American Buffalo and Sexaholix. Some of his film and television credits include Moulin Rouge, Ice Age, Romeo + Juliet, and ER.

Ghetto Klown will mark Leguizamo’s first HBO comedy special in 11 years.  The special is produced by Rebel Prods, Insurgent Films and Silver Lining Entertainment. Leguizamo, Stevens, Jeff Golenberg, and Sam Maydew executive produce.