The People’s Champion: El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom at Long Wharf Theater

The People’s Champion: El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom at Long Wharf Theater

By David Pulvermacher

Intern of the Connecticut Critic’s Circle 

(Photo by @curtisbrownphotography)

Family, identity, and community are the values worth fighting for at Long Wharf Theater’s production of El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom. Suit up with Alex as he tries to protect his neighborhood as New York’s newest hero, El Coquí Espectacular! From gang activity to street fights, the adversities of a hero are more than Alex could have anticipated. As an unemployed comic book artist still living in his mother’s apartment, can Alex live up to his family’s expectations while maintaining his nocturnal exploits? Even more, can he stop the true enemy of his people, gentrification? El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom is a heartwarming play about a young man who tries to learn what it means to stand for something greater than himself. 

We meet our hero, El Coquí, in the midst of an intense battle with his nemesis, El Chupacabra. As quickly as the battle reaches its climax, El Chupacabra disappears, revealing to the audience the truth of our new protagonist. He was never real, but the manifestation of El Coquí’s anxiety. In reality, El Coquí is not super at all; he’s just Alex, a young man from the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, trying to figure out who he is supposed to be. 

On one hand, Alex can continue his fruitless path as an uncompromising comic book artist who advocates for the authenticity of his Puerto Rican heritage. On the other hand, he could become a corporate sellout and advertise soda, like his brother Joe. Or perhaps he could try living out his childhood dream of being a hero. Growing up, Alex idolized all the greats: Superman, Spider-Man, the Power Rangers, and his father, a police officer who sacrificed himself in the line of duty. Alongside his ally, Yessica, Alex takes the journey to discover who he is as a person and his part in his community. El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom is a love letter to the hero in all of us who dreams of making the world a better place. 

(Photo by @curtisbrownphotography)

The vibrancy of the performances makes it feel as if comic book characters have popped off the page. Jason Sanchez’s portrayal of Alex is dynamic. He brings great range to his character. From boyish excitement and determination to adolescent awkwardness, the actor embodies Alex as an authentic modern-day teen. Whether showcasing unearned bravado as El Coquí or struggling with his anxiety, he captures the audience’s interest from start to finish.

Melissa DuPrey is as strong as she is witty in her performance as Yessica. She is an excellent foil to Sanchez, who circumvents expectations of the “damsel in distress” trope and emphasizes how immature Alex is in his new superhero role. The actress has fine comedic timing and is charismatic and sincere in her role. 

(Photo by @curtisbrownphotography)

As Alex’s older brother, Joe, Xavier Cano is both calming and engaging in his performance. He brings charm and subtlety to his role. Cano expresses Joe’s mixed feelings. Between his job irresponsibly stereotyping his community, the sacrifices he makes for his family, and navigating what his culture means for himself, Cano elegantly reveals Joe as he tries to cover his stress and be the man everyone needs him to be. 

Emmy-nominated actress Susanna Guzmán is entertaining in her role. As Alex’s mother, Patricia, she is pushy yet caring. The actress portrays a relatable mother who wants what’s best for her children. 

In his dual roles, Michael John Importa captures the audience’s intrigue. As the Chupacabra, the actor is dynamic and commanding. From the moment he enters the stage, he asserts his dominance through his physical and verbal authority over El Coquí. Then, as Alex’s former high school bully, he portrays Junior as a low-key tough guy. Importa plays both characters so uniquely that it feels as if two separate actors are playing the roles. 

(Photo by @curtisbrownphotography)

The writing of Matt Barbot is powerful, whimsical, and full of heart. His writing articulates the appeal and fascination many have with the superhero genre, which is the idea of escapism, and the concept of looking beyond our current circumstances so that we can protect our families, communities, and our world. The playwright incorporates these ideas in a relatable way that most viewers can understand and connect. He also incorporates his Puerto Rican heritage in a heartfelt way that connects to viewers on their level. 

Director Kinan Valdez brings Barbot’s ideas to life. You can see the comic references throughout the play. For example, when Alex falls asleep after a night out on patrol. The light projections showcase a thought bubble full of “zzz’s” to illustrate him fast asleep. The way in which the director has several of the actors play multiple roles adds depth, as seen with Michael John Improta in his dual roles as El Chupacabra and Junior. Both roles play an antithesis to the protagonist and his alter ego, building more tension. The homages to the superheroes are something every geek will appreciate. From nods to the superhero landing to Adam West’s Batman fighting “Pow” and Christian Bale’s raspy Batman voice, the show is full of references for fans young and old. 

(Photo by @curtisbrownphotography)

Set Designer Gerardo Diaz Sanchez. creates a world that feels ripped directly from a block in Brooklyn. The set is composed of the exterior of an apartment building with the look of worn-down bricks. Overlooking the neighborhood is a billboard that changes depending on what’s required of the scene. Patt is also ingenious with the use of space. When the scene requires a shift to Alex’s room, the center of the stage opens up and out slides his disheveled bedroom. Alex’s room has everything you would imagine for a starting comic artist. His room is covered head to toe with posters of his heroes, including Christopher Reeve’s Superman, Green Lantern, and Power Rangers: Turbo. In the corner of his room is a drawing desk. In the center of the room is his messy bed, with his costume hidden in a crate. The world Sanchez creates feels realistic and well lived in. 

  El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom is an action-packed story that entertains and captivates from start to finish.  From its great cast to its spectacular set design and themes of heritage, this show is for anyone who loves stories of family and heroes. El Coquí Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom is playing at Long Wharf Theater through February 23rd. In collaboration with Southern Connecticut State University, the play is staged on campus at Lyman Center. The show is 111 minutes long with one intermission. Performances are Wednesdays through Fridays at 7 PM, Saturdays at 2 PM and 7 PM, and Sundays at 2 PM. For ticket information, call (203) 693-1486 or online at https://www.longwharf.org/