Long Wharf Theatre presents El Coquí Espectacular & The Bottle Of Doom

From the Long Wharf Theatre, Southern Connecticut State University:

NEW HAVEN, CT —Long Wharf Theatre Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón announced the cast and creative team for its winter production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, written by Matt Barbot, which will take place at The Lyman Center at Southern Connecticut State University. The production will run until Feb.23.

The production is part of Long Wharf Theatre’s 60th anniversary season, whose theme Building Our Future Together celebrates the company’s innovative model as it continues to activate the many “stages” throughout Greater New Haven.

El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom follows iconic Puerto Rican superhero, El Coquí Espectacular, along the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn, where he finds himself up against supervillains and inner demons alike. Behind the mask lies Alex, a struggling comic book artist with a secret identity of his own. As he grapples with self-doubt and the lure of a steady job in advertising alongside his brother Joe, Alex must navigate the challenges of being a hero both on and off the page. This work is an exhilarating journey filled with action, humor and heart as Long Wharf Theatre brings this electrifying story to the stage.

Galvanizing its vision of “theatre for everyone,” Long Wharf Theatre’s production of El Coqui Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom will be an extensive collaboration with partner Southern Connecticut State University, involving a creative team of students that will receive credit for their efforts on the production.

In a news release from SCSU, it noted its "deepening" partnership with Long Wharf Theatre, "proud to collaborate on the production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, marking the first mainstage production on Southern’s campus since the partnership was formalized in 2022.

Kinan Valdez, the director of the production, is best known as Asmodeo on PBS' Great Performances. Film credits include Ballad of a Soldier, Nightmare on AIDS Street and The Cisco Kid. Theatre credits include El Bravo in El Henry and Cándido in Tortilla Curtain. He is also the son of the great playwright and screenwriter Luis Valdez, who is known as the father of Chicano theatre. Kinan has taken all that he has learned from his own career and that of his father’s to create a lasting safe space where theatre can truly be for everyone.

Long Wharf Theatre and Kinan Valdez will give SCSU students the opportunity to work on a professional show before they graduate and see firsthand the creative process behind a story that speaks to the next generation of audiences and performers.

"This extraordinary production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom represents our theatre’s mission and purpose from start to finish,” Padrón said. "Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre. “From deepening our partnership with Southern Connecticut State University and its students to fostering imagination, intention, and equity under the direction of Kinan Valdez, our audiences will experience a show that entertains, captivates and reflects the energy and depth of our community and importantly the thriving Puerto Rican community across Connecticut.”

Erica Hart from Hart Casting oversaw casting direction for this production, which includes:

Jason Sanhez (Alex) Jason Sanchez is a Cuban-American actor originally from Miami, Florida. Since moving to New York City, his professional credits include CBS’s Blue Bloods and the short film Champions. He received his BFA from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Jason is ecstatic to be a part of El Coquí Espectacular and The Bottle of Doom and is deeply grateful to everyone at Long Wharf Theatre, as well as his team at CESD Talent Agency and Authentic Management, for this incredible opportunity.

Xavier Cano (Joe) A fluent Spanish speaker born in Puerto Rico and raised in Kissimmee, Florida, Xavier transformed his life in 2007 when he moved to NYC to begin his professional acting career. From Broadway and off-Broadway, to National and International tours, Xavier has spent many years cultivating his passion for exploration and self-expression. Credits include Broadway’s “Grease” (Sonny LaTierri), U.S. tours including “If/Then”, New York: “Rent”, Paul Simon's “The Capeman” at the Delacorte Theatre, “Lucky Guy” at The Little Shubert, and regional productions including “Uardo in Give It Up!” at Dallas Theatre Center and “Dick in Dames at Sea” at the Bay Street Theatre.

Susanna Guzman (Patricia) Susanna Guzmán is an Emmy-nominated actress born in East New York, Brooklyn. Theatre highlights include Downstate-Lucille Lortel & Outer Critics Circle nominee (Playwrights Horizons), “Mary Jane” (Manhattan Theatre Club), La Luz de un cigarillo-HOLA Award for Outstanding Performance (Teatro La Tea, Lehman Stages).
Film/TV highlights include BABES, Manifest, Kaleidoscope, New Amsterdam, The Outsider, Pose, and an Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt-Emmy Cast nomination.

Melissa Francesca Duprey (Yesica) Melissa DuPrey is a multidisciplinary artist with roots from Humboldt Park, Chicago. Her one-woman show, “SEXomedy” (2012), was developed during their monthly series for women of color in the arts and received a Chicago Reader Recommendation, a Member's Pick, and had a successful debut Off-Broadway in New York. The popular show spurred a progressive sequel, “SEXomedy 2.0”, which debuted at Steppenwolf Theater in April 2019. She is a featured actor in the Emmy-nominated web-series “Brown Girls” and has many regional and non-regional theatre credits in Chicago. She is currently an Ensemble Member at UrbanTheater Company and Artistic Associate at Sideshow Theater. Credits include “Empire” (FOX), “The Resident” (FOX) and “Chicago PD” (NBC).

Michael John Improta (El Chupacabra/Junior) Michael John Improta is a multidisciplinary artist known for “The Story of Milo & Annie” (2014), Trouble in Law and Rockweed. He has lived in New Haven, Puerto Rico and New York City throughout his career and brings extensive experience in the entertainment industry to the stage. He is also a graduate of Michael is a graduate of Aces Educational Center for the Arts in New Haven.

Long Wharf Theatre is partnering with Puerto Ricans United (PRU), INC., for this production. PRU is an all-volunteer organization that works to promote, preserve and celebrate Puerto Rican culture, while actively engaging in community service.

Some cast and crew members shared their thoughts

“El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom follows the journey of our iconic Puerto Rican superhero as he navigates the streets of Sunset Park, Brooklyn. This story underscores the importance of uplifting diverse voices and narratives both on and off the stage, and I hope audiences feel inspired by the work. I am deeply honored to share this work, a true reflection of my own identities, with the New Haven community.” –Kinan Valdez, Director of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom

“El Coquí embodies Long Wharf Theatre's mission of 'theatre for everyone,' demonstrating that a truly thriving theatrical ecosystem can only exist when every voice has a seat at the table or in this case, a superhero story. This production is a testament to the powerful legacy of diverse storytelling that Long Wharf Theatre has built over the past 60 years, and I can’t wait to see our audience’s reaction to the production.” –Jacob G. Padrón, Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre

“This heartwarming superhero strengthens the longstanding partnership between Long Wharf Theatre and Southern Connecticut State University. The show's exploration of uncertainty and self-discovery resonates with our students as they navigate their own journeys of personal and professional growth. Throughout this production, SCSU students have been integral to everything from costume design to sound checks. This experience alongside renowned Director Kinan Valdez provides real-world learning opportunities, preparing our students for successful careers in the theatre.” –Mike Skinner, Chairperson & Associate Professor of Theatre at Southern Connecticut State University

“Participating in the production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom has been an excellent and rewarding experience. As someone with a Latin American background, I am deeply invested in the play’s themes and representation. It has been genuinely inspiring to collaborate with a team of passionate and professional artists, each bringing their own connections and perspectives into the room. My father and I have a shared passion for both our heritage and superhero stories. This has been a truly awesome story to be a part of.” – Cameron Munoz, Southern Connecticut State University student serving as the Assistant Director Intern for El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom

Tickets for El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom are on sale for the general public here. Information on Long Wharf Theatre Membership can be found at longwharf.org/membership/. The box office is available via phone at (203) 693-1486 Monday through Friday from 12pm-5pm.