Latinos are underrepresented in Hollywood. Well Latini-Duh!™ the one-man show written by Tejano actor and producer, Raymond Abel promises to deliver a hilarious look at Latino representation, or lack thereof. Latini-Duh!™ is set to premiere June 26 -27 at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the LGBTQ Center.
“I want this show to shout out to all…that Latinos are significantly underrepresented in Hollywood”. Abel explains, “And while this is definitely a personal story about my journey (and of working Latinos in the entertainment industry), there is something for everyone in this play. I think that we can all relate to the idea that we want to be seen.”
Latini-Duh!™ is set in the fictional land of the Lationverse: The upside-down of Hollywood. In this world, diversity within the Latino culture reflects the reality of the real world. Abel was inspired to write the Latini-Duh!™ from his own encounters in Hollywood. Disappointed with how his Latino community continues to be underrepresented in the industry, he wrote the one-person show to inspire change within the entertainment industry.
Abel will be taking a page from the success of John Leguizamo whose 2011 award-winning one-man Broadway show Ghetto Klown takes Hollywood to task for Latino stereotypes and lack of roles. Leguizamo has perfected the genre of lampooning Hollywood, and for that matter society as well for the lack of Latino representation. In his most recent, and widely popular Broadway show Latin History for Morons, Leguizamo traces 3,000 years of Latino history and the lack of Latino recognition in history books, with his signature humor to resounding success. Abel has a hard act to follow, but he is up to the challenge.
“I want this show to shout out…that Latinos are significantly underrepresented in Hollywood.” Adding, “And while this is definitely a personal story about my journey (and of working Latinos in the entertainment industry), there is something for everyone in this play. I think that we can all relate to the idea that we want to be seen”.
The show introduces 6 different characters, all played by Abel, in different stages of their journey in entertainment. It’s a comedy with a heartfelt message. Focusing on real life issues, through his characters Abel touches upon the paltry 5% of Latino onscreen, despite being 19.1% of the total population, the lack of executive leadership roles in Hollywood and stereotypical roles.
You can see Latini-Duh!™ at the Davidson/Valentini Theatre at the LGBTQ Center 1125 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, 90038. June 26 -27 @ 8:00pm, June 28th @ 7:30pm, and June 29th @ 9:00pm.