The Oregon Premiere Of EL GRANDE DE COCA-COLA Opens at Lakewood Theatre Company

On March 2, 2018, Lakewood Theatre Company brings to the stage the Portland area premiere of the legendary, classic comedy El Grande de Coca-Cola from the authors of Bullshot Crummond and Footlight Frenzy.

Performances begin March 2, 2018 and continue through April 8, 2018, playing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM, with two Wednesday performances (Mar. 28 & April 4) at 7:30 PM, Sunday evenings at 7:00 PM (Mar. 4, 18, 25), and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM (Mar. 11, 18, 25 and Apr. 8). The show's title sponsor is Drs. Bill & Ricky Korach.

The theatre is located at Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St. in Lake Oswego. Ticket prices are $34/adults and $32/seniors. Other discounts are available for students and groups. For additional information and tickets, call the Lakewood Box Office at (503) 635-3901 or order online at www.lakewood-center.org.

Special note: On Wednesdays, March 28 and April 4, the theatre continues its program called WOW: 25-35. For people 35 and under tickets are priced at $25 each. Use the code WOW25 when ordering tickets online for a $25.00 ticket. At these performances there will be a complimentary wine or whiskey tasting one hour before curtain. On Wednesday, March 28, enjoy a complimentary wine tasting courtesy of World Class Wines and on Wednesday, April 4, there will be a complimentary whiskey tasting donated by Indio Spirits. OLCC rules apply! Bring your ID for the tasting.

Scenario: In a nightclub somewhere even further south than south of the border, impresario Señor Pepe Hernandez boasts in the local press that he is bringing a group of famous international cabaret stars to his club to entertain the busloads of American tourists. He persuades the local Coca-Cola bottling plant to back the show in exchange for some blatant product placement. When the night of the show comes, however, no stars arrive to perform and Pepe is forced to hire his family, whose antics wreak havoc upon the stage. It's show time for this deliriously funny and ridiculously wild extravaganza.

The cast stars: Andrew Harris, Franny Kromminga, Sam Schultz, Heather Ovalle and Erik Furuheim.

The creative team includes stage and musical direction by Alan Shearman, scenic design by John Gerth, lighting design by Kurt Herman, costume design by Grace O'Malley, original choreography by Tor Campbell, additional choreography by Laura Hiszczynskyj, sound design by Marcus Storey, and properties by Jen Summering. The stage manager is Addie Underwood and the producer is Steve Knox.

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About the Performers:

Andrew Harris (Don Pepe Hernandez) is happy to be returning to Lakewood Theatre Company after appearing in Alan Shearman's previous production of Bullshot Crummond: The Evil Eye of Jabar and the Invisible Bride of Death. Andrew has guest starred in several television productions, including IFC's Portlandia, NBC's Grimm, and TNT's The Librarians and Leverage. He has written and performed in the sketch comedy groups Nacho Gold, Bath Night, The 3rd Floor and Sweat, having performed with the latter two in Seattle, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. Andrew has also worked extensively as a copywriter, voice actor and actor for various northwest advertising agencies and local industrials, and won the OMPA's Best Commercial Actor award in 2017. He was a regular voice actor on PRI's Livewire Radio on OPB, and has been seen in local theater productions for various companies around town, including Artists Repertory Theater, Milagro Theater and triangle! Productions. Andrew grew up on Bainbridge Island near the Puget Sound. As the son of a first generation Mexican father, Andrew was particularly drawn to El Grande de Coca-Cola and is excited to be working with such a lovely cast and crew.

Franny Kromminga (Consuelo Hernandez) is a Michigan native who recently relocated to Portland, Oregon. Some professional credits: Brittney in Mom's Gift, Bridget in Nana's Naughty Knickers, Ginger in Irving Berlin's I Love A Piano and A Christmas Carol. A graduate of Adrian College, other favorite roles include Mimi in Rent, Martha in The Children's Hour and Desdemona in Othello.

Erik Furuheim (Juan Rodriguez) This is Erik's first role at Lakewood Theater Company, but he has been acting for over 30 years all across the United States. Most recently, he has been seen traveling and portraying JP Richardson "The Big Bopper" in The Buddy Holly Story. You can also find him producing and designing shows at his home theater "The Maverick" in Fullerton, California. Other notable roles include Max Bialystock in The Producers, Chef Louis in The Little Mermaid, Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad, Dave Bucketinski in The Full Monty, and over 140 performances as Eddie and Dr. Scott in The Rocky Horror Show. He is thrilled to be working with his idol writer/director Alan Shearman, and this amazing cast and theater company.

Heather Ovalle (Maria Hernandez) is excited to make her Lakewood Theatre Company debut! She is a longtime company member with Clackamas Repertory Theatre, where her credits include: Sherry in Tigers Be Still, Melanie in One Slight Hitch, Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Fräulein Kost in Cabaret, Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, Ida in See How They Run, and others. She also played Vampiress in Dracula: A Musical Nightmare (Stumptown Stages). Heather recently started voiceover work with Sinful Audio recording tracks for haunted houses and escape rooms. Being half-Hispanic (her father is from Chile), Heather is excited to do her first show that allows her to use her Spanish and bring her crazy family dynamic to life in this show! Viva Chile! She is thrilled to be a part of this production and would like to thank her family, friends and besties for all the constant love and support.

Sam Schultz (Miguel Hernandez) graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in theatre before moving to Portland to pursue acting. Recent works include a dancing sailor in Cabaret (Lakewood Theatre Company), Doc in Snow White (Broadway Rose Theatre Company), Caliban in The Tempest (Experience Theater Project), Juror 7 in 12 Angry Jurors (Voice for the Voiceless), Dr. Astrov in Uncle Vanya (Valley Repertory Theatre), Tiny Tom in Urinetown, Kip in Life Underwater and Padamadan in Legally Blonde! The Musical (WWU), Chris in Becky's New Car (Mount Baker Theater) and Richie in A Chorus Line (Bellingham Theatre Guild).

Photo Credit: Triumph Photography

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