Mark Perrin-Jones first showed us his remarkable comedic talent in the play Cosi, as a deranged impresario in a mental institution. Now, as Papa Pepe Hernandez, the charmingly manic master of ceremonies in a low budget, family run night club, we begin to understand that we have in our midst, a true comic genius. El Grande de Coca Cola is a blast, a laugh a second from the first moment to the final curtain.
Papa Pepe is hilariously assisted by a group of "relatives," mostly new faces to the stage in Boquete, who do a terrific job of fleshing out the erratic and often ill-fated "acts" in the cabaret. Luries Gonzales and Veronika Simmons star as the beautiful and sexy daughters of Pepe, when not tearing each other's hair out. The handsome and dashing Ryan Sawyer and enigmatic Paolo Zanaboni fill out the family cast of wackos, flirting with girls in the audience and messing up their routines. Burnette Sawyer, as aunt Margarita Margarita Hernandez, on the keyboard, is the family musician.
Oh and did I mention - the entire show is in Spanish. Hilarious Spanish. At the dress rehearsal this evening, most of the audience members were Panamanian students who are studying English. They had an absolute ball and nobody, including English-only audience members had any doubt whatsoever about what was going on. Pepe himself weaves in and out between Spanish and English in a masterful display of cross-cultural humor.
Such is the genius of Perrin-Jones that he can run an entire play in a language that is not native to him and convince us that he was born speaking it - right along with very subtle and sophisticated innuendoes and improvised side jokes - quite wonderful to behold. While he previously pursued a career in acting in Australia, it is here in Boquete under the capable direction of Artistic Director Jim Hatch, that his real acting genius is taking wing and developing into a unique and wonderful persona that reminds me in many ways of a more dynamic and entertaining Charlie Chaplin. And it is all happening right here in Boquete.
Once again, we are reminded that we are living in one of the most beautiful places on earth - Where else can you enjoy terrific live entertainment in an intimate setting with people you know and like - both on stage and in the audience? The BCP theater is a jewel not only in Panama, but in the world.
El Grande de Coca Cola is expected to sell out and is only running Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so get tickets at Mailboxes Etc. - do it now. After its run in Boquete, it will be traveling to Coronado, an exchange that we expect to set a pattern for future productions - not only sending out our best, but bringing their best to Boquete.
Mark Heyer
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