John Leguizamo is widely celebrated for his incisive, culture-skewering one-man plays, with standout satirical performances such as “Latin History for Morons” and “Mambo Mouth.”
Yet, when he sought out a “culturally exciting” show to enjoy with some Latin friends about five years ago, he was left empty-handed.
“I was like, ‘Wow, that’s crazy,’” shares Leguizamo, 65, an accomplished actor and playwright who grew up in Queens and has called Lower Manhattan home since 1986. “We’re equal to white people in New York City in terms of population — probably more — and there’s nothing for us.”
This realization spurred him to create the very show he longed to see. The result is “The Other Americans,” a poignant production centered on a Latino family that has relocated from Jackson Heights, Leguizamo’s childhood neighborhood, to Forest Hills, grappling with the aftermath of a hate crime. Leguizamo himself takes on the role of Nelson Castro, a Colombian American laundromat owner. The show is currently running at the Public Theater in downtown Manhattan until October 26.
“I find theater is where you can take the risks, where people want you to take the risks, where you can push the envelope on storytelling, on structure, on themes,” notes Leguizamo, who earned a special Tony Award in 2018 for “Latin History for Morons.”
His daily commute to the theater involves a scenic six-block bike ride from his 4,500-square-foot Greenwich Village brownstone, a $6 million acquisition from 2008 that he and his wife of 22 years, Justine Maurer, 57, meticulously restored over a year for an additional $2 million, bringing it back to its original 19th-century splendor. Adding to the household charm is their Bengal cat, Leonard Bernstein.
The New York Times recently shadowed Mr. Leguizamo on a Thursday during the preview period of his latest theatrical endeavor, offering a glimpse into his vibrant routine.
This interview has been condensed and lightly edited.
EARLY START I typically wake up at 6 a.m. I’ve tried to join the 5 a.m. club, but it just leaves me too exhausted by 8 p.m. I truly need eight hours of sleep to function effectively.
KNEES AND TOES My first activity upon waking is stretching. I incorporate a lot of dancing into this show, so it’s crucial to maintain enough flexibility to avoid any injuries onstage. My routine includes pigeon pose, quad stretches, hamstring stretches, as well as movements for my neck, upper torso, hands, feet, and ankles – a full body preparation.
HORMONE-FRIENDLY HYGIENE I floss and brush my teeth using toothpaste free of harsh chemicals. I also opt for non-hormone-disrupting deodorant. About two years after my children were born, I became very focused on researching and implementing ways to rid my life of toxins and endocrine disruptors. Having kids truly heightens your awareness of your environment. When you’re young and single, you often feel indestructible and don’t give it much thought.
SECRET RECIPE My morning starts with some coffee, always with skim milk. Then I have my fruit, making sure to consume it 20 minutes before anything else. My favorite is papaya with a splash of kefir and a touch of raw honey. Afterward, I’ll prepare a raw chocolate shake with banana, dates (no added sugar!), raw cacao, cacao nibs, a teaspoon of raw almonds, a teaspoon of raw cashews, and a hint of cayenne.
SILENT SWEAT My dedication to fitness truly began when I was preparing for “Romeo and Juliet.” That’s when I invested in weights, a pull-up bar, and a half rubber ball. Everything I need for my workouts is conveniently located in my basement.
I prefer complete silence during my workouts. Since my day is so filled with noise, I need that quiet time to hear my own thoughts; it’s almost like a form of meditation. I aim for at least 30 minutes of intense exercise, incorporating push-ups, pull-ups, curls, squats, sumos, and various ab exercises.
FUNK IT UP I dedicate at least two sessions a day, each lasting 15 to 20 minutes, purely to dancing. I just put on music that inspires me and move. Currently, I’m enjoying some old-school tracks: Denroy Morgan’s “I’ll Do Anything for You,” Casual Connection’s “Do It in the Dark,” Zhané’s “Hey Mr. D.J.,” Foxy’s “Get Off,” and Cheo Feliciano’s “El Ratón.” I perform the hustle in the play, and I’ve become quite proficient at it, so I make sure to keep my hustle as energetic as possible.
COFFEE AND CREATIVE TIME I try to write for at least two hours every day, sometimes longer. Writing is my absolute favorite part of the day; it’s my sacred creative moment. We have two living rooms, and I prefer to write in our orange living room. The only minor interruption is when the cat decides to join me, often jumping on my computer and causing a few typos.
TENNIS THROWDOWN Around 9 a.m., I drive to Randall’s Island for a couple of hours of tennis with my son, Lucas Leguizamo, 24. It’s one of the highlights of my week. I’ve been playing tennis for six years, and with Lucas for the past two. It’s a fantastic time, and watching him play with such power is truly thrilling as a dad.
PRESHOW FIX I usually get back home a little after noon and prepare lunch, which is often eggs with manchego cheese and avocado. We also have a chef who preps meals for us twice a week, so I’ll frequently eat salmon or chicken thighs — prepared without salt or oil — alongside broccoli and brown rice.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT I run lines with my assistant, Joe. He’s truly the best line runner because he’s also an actor, which makes our sessions engaging and fun. I make sure to go over any challenging passages at least five times.
REHEARSAL I arrive at the rehearsal space at 1 p.m. There, I meet with our director, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, and the rest of the cast. We review new lines I’ve written, discuss Ruben’s notes for adjustments, and address any issues the actors might be facing. This is followed by a dance class, then fight choreography, and finally, a semi run-through of the show. We typically wrap up around 4:30. After that, I’ll have a physical therapy session before heading home to rest and squeeze in another 20 minutes of writing.
CIRCLE UP I bike back to the theater by 6:30 p.m. to begin warming up my body, mind, and vocals, and to connect with the cast. Then, we gather for a beautiful circle — a tradition Ruben initiated — where we talk about our intentions for the night’s performance. We all hold hands, and then we get ready to go out there and give it our all.
POST-SHOW BITE After the show wraps up around 10:30 p.m., I head to the Library at the Public Theater. I’ll usually order their deviled eggs or their spicy vodka rigatoni, along with unsweetened iced tea. I’ll then spend about half an hour socializing and chatting with guests and other actors. After that, I attach my lights to my bike and ride home, doing my best to avoid traffic.
TIRED AND WIRED I arrive home around 11:30 p.m. or midnight. I’m utterly exhausted and mentally drained, yet paradoxically, I’m also completely wired – it’s a strange sensation. My wife will ask me about the show, and then we’ll usually play Mexican Train, our current favorite game. If we have a little extra energy, we might play a round of backgammon. We’ll often wind down by listening to a political podcast; she particularly enjoys comedian Tim Dillon’s podcast, or sometimes we’ll listen to “Ear Hustle” or Judge Napolitano.
OUT LIKE A LIGHT With the demands of the play, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to get my full eight hours of sleep. Fortunately, I tend to fall asleep very quickly. Sleep is my favorite indulgence, so I make sure to prioritize it as much as possible.