PBS Airs TALES FROM A GHETTO KLOWN Documantary Tonight, 7/13

TALES FROM A Ghetto Klown profiles award-winning actor and playwright John Leguizamo's unorthodox rise to success and his struggles to mount his latest one-man show on Broadway and beyond. The program premieres tonight, July 13 at 9:00 p.m. EST on PBS (check local listings) as part of the PBS ARTS SUMMER FESTIVAL, a multi-platform event anchored by seven films that highlight artists and performances from around the world.

Starting with a survey of his Colombian and "NuyoRican" roots and building to his high-profile career in Hollywood, Leguizamo bares his soul (as do his colleagues, family members and celebrity friends) in this behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the industry's most versatile actors. After the Broadway success of his latest show, Ghetto Klown, Leguizamo goes on the road to his native Colombia and performs it in Spanish. The film, directed by Ben DeJesus, documents the entire journey, including such bumps along the way as his struggles to translate the show and his insecurities over his rusty language skills.

The PBS Arts Summer Festival showcases diverse productions from top independent filmmakers in an exploration of culture and art from around the globe, offering an in-depth look at music, theater, art, architecture and cultural history from some of the world's unique locations. Award-winning television, film and stage actress Anna Deavere Smith ("Nurse Jackie," "The West Wing") serves as weekly host for the Summer Festival, which begins Friday, June 29, 2012 at 9 p.m. ET (check local listings).

TALES FROM A Ghetto Klown is a co-production of Diamante Pictures, David Chitel, Fisher Stevens, director Ben DeJesus and Latino Public Broadcasting, with major funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Funding for the launch of PBS Arts has been provided by Anne Ray Charitable Trust, public television viewers and PBS.

Founded by director Ben DeJesus, Diamante Pictures is a production and branded entertainment company, based in New York City and Miami Beach, that has produced over 75 hours of programming for broadcast, 100+ commercials, 100+ webisodes, 35 music videos and 25 DVD titles.

PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. 

Photo Credit: Ben DeJesus