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In its world premiere, “The Other Americans,” currently at Arena Stage in Southwest D.C. until Nov. 24, is a family drama about pursuing the American dream with all the stumbles and successes along the way, starring John Leguizamo, an Emmy Award-winning actor, writer, comedian, and producer, who also wrote the play.  

, an Emmy-winning artist who has received other awards and nominations, directed this brilliant production, where unspoken family challenges escalate to troubling revelations. 

Leguizamo has been working on “The Other Americans” for five years. It is based on an actual hate crime that occurred on Long Island in the 1990s.

“I wanted to bring it to the theater so people could understand what the American dream is for Latin people,” said Leguizamo, who has been a vocal advocate for more Latinos on stage and screen. “, Arena Stage artistic director, championed me. She’s given me my first opportunity with my world premiere.”

Unparalleled Acting Ensemble

Leguizamo is Nelson, a Colombian-American owner of several laundromats. On the surface, he and his immediate and extended family appear to be doing well. 

The family is waiting for the arrival of Nicky, the son, the victim of a hate crime who was just discharged from a mental health hospital. As family members wait for Nicky to arrive home, everyone has different ideas about how to help him settle back in. 

Nelson’s anxiousness about his son is on top of his need to secure a loan to sustain his laundromat business. As the play unfolds, there are layers of complications with Nicky’s return and the family business.

To Leguizamo’s Nelson, his wife Patti is played by Luna Lauren Velez. Patti is a supportive wife and mother who wants her son back home. Velez is an American Latino Media Arts Award (ALMA) winner for her roles in “Oz,” “New York Undercover” and “Dexter.” 

Rebecca Jimenez plays their daughter, Toni, and Bradley James Tejada plays her fiancé, Eddie. They look forward to their wedding and plan to leave New York for a fresh start. Toni loves her family but is ready for her future with Eddie. Tejada, as Eddie provides comic relief to avoid family drama.

Special praise goes to Trey Santiago-Hudson as Nicky, whose family members have been joyfully excited over his return. Trey plays Nicky perfectly, as getting comfortable back home does not come easily. He’s jittery and resistant to his family’s ideas for his next steps, plus there’s tension as Nelson was not fully supportive of his son being in a mental health treatment program in the first place. 

This is Trey Santiago-Hudson’s first time being directed by his father, Ruben Santiago-Hudson. In addition to “The Other Americans,” the younger Santiago-Hudson is in the current season of “Shrinking” on Apple TV+.

The director and father was in the audience, watching every move by his exceptional cast. 

“I’m just trying to make sure I do as much justice as possible to this work,” Ruben Santiago-Hudson said. “We are scheduled to take the play to The Public Theater in New York.”

An Ambitious Arena Stage Season

Sharif came to Arena Stage last year, but the 2024-25 season is officially her inaugural season. This is the first 10-play season at Arena Stage since the pandemic, and seven productions are world premieres. 

“We are completely committed to expressing the full spectrum of the American spirit,” said Sharif about the current season. “I told John that with ‘The Other Americans,” he’s written the Next Great American tragedy.”

For ticket information and the 2024-25 Arena Stage season schedule, go to .