'The Other Americans' depicts the American Dream turning into a nightmare

At a time when the current presidential administration is targeting Latinx families who are trying to experience the American Dream, it is so appropriate and bold for actor, playwright, and producer John Leguizamo to write and star in "The Other Americans," his new play at The Public Theatre at 425 Lafayette Street.

- By LINDA ARMSTRONG Special to the AmNews

Trey Santiago-Hudson and Luna Lauren Velez in “The Other Americans” at The Public Theatre (Joan Marcus photo)

(Joan Marcus)

In it, Leguizamo shows a Latinx family headed by Nelson (Leguizamo), a Colombian American, who owns several laundromats, and who believes that achieving the American Dream means moving his family from Jackson Heights to Forest Hills and running laundromats there as well. When Nelson experiences financial difficulties, he finds that the bank won't consider him for a loan, even though he is an established businessman. Nelson and his family find that they are not welcome in the neighborhood, either as residents or as business owners.