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John Leguizamo's “Tales From a Ghetto Klown” to PBS July 13, (VIDEO)

By April MacIntyre Jul 2, 2012, 17:01 GMT

John Leguizamo - 65th Annual Tony Awards - Arrivals - Beacon Theatre - New York City, NY, USA © Chris Travers / PR Photos

Tune in alert for PBS Arts Summer Festival, as “Tales From a Ghetto Klown,” the upcoming documentary profiling award-winning actor and playwright John Leguizamo’s unorthodox rise to success and his struggles to mount his latest one-man show on Broadway airs on July 13.

Leguizamo reveals his path, as colleagues, family members and celebrity friends are also interviewed in this behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the industry’s most versatile actors.

From PBS

Watch John Leguizamo's Tales from a Ghetto Klown on PBS. See more from PBS Arts.

Starting with a survey of his Colombian and “NuyoRican” roots and building to his high-profile career in Hollywood, this behind-the-scenes glimpse of one of the industry’s most versatile actors airs July 13.

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).

The full PBS ARTS SUMMER FESTIVAL schedule follows. Details at pbs.org/pressroom.

·         ISLAMIC ART: MIRROR OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD, July 6, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.

Watch Summer Arts Festival: Islamic Art on PBS. See more from PBS Arts.

·         JOHN LEGUIZAMO'S TALES FROM A GHETTO KLOWN, July 13, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.

·         HOMECOMING: THE KANSAS CITY SYMPHONY PRESENTS JOYCE DiDONATO, July 20, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.

Watch Summer Arts Festival Preview: KSO presents Joyce DiDonato on PBS. See more from PBS Arts.

·         HAVANA, HAVANA!, July 27, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.

Watch Summer Arts Festival Preview: Havana, Havana! on PBS. See more from PBS Arts.

·         THE BARNES COLLECTION, August 3, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.

·         GREAT PERFORMANCES: Tanglewood 75th Anniversary Celebration, August 10, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET.