Waterfront Café & Summer Stages Presents El Grande de Coca-Cola

Waterfront Café & Summer Stages presents the multi-lingual cabaret El Grande de Coca-Cola, opening on Thursday, August 23rd and then running through September 29th, 2018. All performances will take place in Berger Park Cultural Center's Coach House Theater, located at 6215 North Sheridan Road - Chicago, Illinois 60660.

Synopsis: In a nightclub somewhere south of the border, local impresario Señor Pepe Hernandez has boasted to the local press that he is bringing a group of famous international cabaret stars to his club. He persuades the local Coca-Cola bottling plant to back the show in exchange for some blatant product placement. But when the night of the show comes, no stars arrive to perform and Pepe is forced to hire his family whose antics wreak havoc upon the stage. This hysterical disaster is full of gag bits, physical comedy mix-ups and a lot of tomfoolery making El Grande de Coca-Cola a deliriously funny and a ridiculously wonderful show!

El Grande de Coca-Cola was originally created and produced by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman and John Neville-Andrews with musical arrangements by Alan Shearman and John Neville-Andrews. The show ran off-Broadway for two and a half years. In the 40+ years since, numerous productions have been produced across America and abroad, including Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Canada. Alan Shearman has recently updated the current version of the script.

El Grande de Coca-Cola is presented mainly in Spanish, with some dialogue in French, Italian, German, as well as English. By using basic vocabulary words that translate easily, coupled with the cast's fantastic comedic timing and telltale facial expressions, the language barrier all but disappears. Directed & choreographed by Jon Martinez, the cast includes Daviel Bailon, Juan Castaneda, Johnny Garcia, Richard Gomez, Pauleth Jauregui, Sophie Hernando Kofman and Christian Valdivieso. Other members of the creative team are Scenic Designer Harrison Ornelas, Costume Designer Diane Hamm, Lighting Designers Tonika Todorova & Frank Pullen, Production Manager Tonika Todorova and Stage Manager Chris Sylvie.

Wednesday nights are "All Access Nights" with performances beginning at 8 pm. General admission seating and cash bar available. Running time 80 minutes. All tickets are $20.

Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights the evening begins at 7 pm when guests will enjoy a Taco Bar (Steak & Seitan Chorizo Tacos (v), Margarita Bar and pre-show entertainment in the back of the theater right on Chicago's lakefront one hour before the 8 pm curtain. All-inclusive event tickets are $60 each and cover food, beverage, entertainment, tax & gratuity.

$40 tickets are also available for the 8 pm performance only. (General admission seating with a cash bar available 15 minutes before the 8 pm show - dinner not included). The venue has limited seating of 40 guests per night and the production is recommended for ages 21+.

Tickets are available online at www.elgrandedecocacola.com or in person at The Waterfront Cafe.

El Grande de Coco-Cola is presented in association with the Waterfront Café and produced by owner and operator Frank Pullen, who is also the former Artistic Director of the award-winning Journeymen Theater Company. Mr. Pullen states "With this inaugural production, our goal is to create unique events and cultural exchanges that build community and transport our audience by combining the elements of food & beverage service with immersive live performances. Our first offering celebrates the breaking down of language barriers through laughter while examining what connects us instead of divides us." El Grande de Coca-Cola can be enjoyed by Spanish and non-Spanish speakers alike.

Now in its twelfth year, The Waterfront Café is located in Berger Park Cultural Center and is housed in a historic landmark coach house attached to one of the few remaining mansions that once lined Chicago's Lakefront. Our outdoor patio often features live entertainment and always-breathtaking lake views. We offer live music five nights a week on our lakeside stage and this summer we have added the Coach House Theater as a venue for additional programming.

Waterfront Cafe & Summer Stages is a member of the League of Chicago Theatres and El Grande de Coca-Cola is produced under special arrangement with Samuel French.