EL GRANDE DE COCA-COLA Extends Through Nov 23 at Ruskin Group Theatre

The original New York hit comedy is now a Los Angeles hit redux and LA Times CRITIC'S CHOICE--from the company that launched the World Premiere and eight glorious months of Sideways The Play, and Paradise - A Divine Bluegrass Musical Comedy. EL GRANDE DE COCA-COLA is an extravaganza of timeless humor, in five languages that you never knew you could speak. NOW EXTENDED through November 23rd at Ruskin Group Theatre.

Set in the nightclub of a small backwater town, somewhere South of the Border. Pepe Hernandez (Sen?or Show Business) has boasted in the local press that he is bringing a group of famous international cabaret stars to town. He has persuaded his uncle, manager of the local Coca-Cola bottling plant, to advance him enough money to rent the club for three nights. It is showtime for Pepe's ambitious extravaganza, "Parada de las Estrellas" (Parade of the Stars).

"I laughed myself silly when I first saw El Grande de Coca-Cola in Europe, so I brought them to New York within eight weeks. It was an instant hit that went on to launch the careers of both Jeff Goldblum and Ron Silver. This production is like an old friend that I am coming back to visit, only better." - Gilbert Adler (Producer; ABC Intelligence, Superman Returns, Valkyrie, Tales From The Crypt, Constantine)

Alan Shearman (Director, Musical Director) has won five Best Director awards, and three more for Best Production.

El Grande de Coca-Cola continues through November 23rd and runs 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, 2pm on Sundays. Ruskin Group Theatre is located at 3000 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90405. Tickets are $25 ($20 for students, seniors, and guild members) and can be purchased in advance by calling (310) 397-3244. For more information, visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. Free parking is available at the theater.

RUSKIN GROUP THEATRE is known to audiences for producing top notch entertainment in Santa Monica, CA. They launched the WORLD PREMIEREof Rex Pickett's Sideways The Play, which then moved to La Jolla Playhouse. The company has been making an impact on the Los Angeles theatre scene with an eclectic mix of thought provoking plays, garnering numerous "recommendations" from local critics. Ruskin's Healing Through The Artsprogram brings their actors into Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA to work with and entertain the children.

The CAFÉ PLAYS, created by RGT are produced monthly and are the culmination of writers, actors, and directors who meet at 9 am, where they are given a theme. They then write, produce, and perform a show by 7pm the same day. When celebrating their 8th anniversary, RGT supporters Ed Asner, Dylan McDermott, Chris Mulkey, Olivia d'Abo, and other industry celebrities joined to produce the Best of Café Plays (both shows sold out within hours). Anthony Hopkins and Anthony Franciosa were some of the first teachers at Ruskin School.

ENSEMBLE:

Ron House (Senor Don Pepe Hernandez) created this role. David Lago (Miguel Vasquez) is an Emmy Award-winning actor who celebrates more than a decade of achievement in the entertainment industry with five Emmy nominations. Lila Dupree (Consuelo Hernandez) has numerous stage credits and on-screen credits include The Golden Boys (with David Carradine and Bruce Dern). Aaron Miller (Juan Rodriguez) appeared in the cult classic Drama Kings and works extensively in music videos, voice over, and motion capture arts including, Disney's: Once Upon A Time. Nina Brissey (Maria Hernandez) originated the show stopping sex kitten role of Chastity in the world Premiere of Paradise-A Divine Bluegrass Musical Comedy and was in the International Premiere of Eve's Ensler's, Necessary Targets at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival among numerous credits.

Producers: John Ruskin (Artistic Director), Gilbert Adler, and Michael Myers

Written by: Ron House, *Diz White, Alan Shearman, and *John Neville-Andrews

(*not part of this production)

Ruskin TEAM: Cliff Wagner (Set Designer), Jeff Faeth (Set/Props), Mike Reilly (Lighting Director), Sarah Figoten (Costume Designer), and Tor Campbell (Choreographer), Nicole Millar (Production Stage Manager), Tara Diveley (Assistant Stage Manager)

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For more information visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com. Free parking is available at the theater.