Casa Bonita Performers Initiate Historic Strike: Unpacking the Labor Dispute at the Beloved Denver Landmark

The vibrant world of cliff divers and iconic characters at Denver's famous Casa Bonita has gone dark as performers launch a three-day strike, demanding fair wages and safer conditions from South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.

TL;DR: Quick Bites of the Casa Bonita Strike

• Casa Bonita's 57 unionized performers are currently on a three-day strike (October 30 – November 1, 2025) demanding fair wages, better safety measures, and protection against sudden layoffs.
• Contract negotiations with management, helmed by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, stalled after an "insulting" 11-cent wage increase offer and controversial hour cuts for a "Casa Boo-nita" Halloween event.
• Actors' Equity Association President Brooke Shields has publicly supported the performers, while Casa Bonita management maintains the restaurant remains open, offering incentives to guests despite the lack of live entertainment.

If you've ever dreamt of stepping into the wonderfully wacky world of Casa Bonita – a place where cliff divers plunge into a lagoon, gorillas roam, and mariachi bands play – you might be in for a different kind of experience right now. The magic that typically fills the famous pink palace in Lakewood, Colorado, is currently taking a break. Why? The talented performers who breathe life into this iconic restaurant have officially hit the picket line.

They're on a three-day strike, demanding fair treatment and a living wage from none other than their high-profile owners: Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the comedic masterminds behind the hit animated series South Park. It's a surreal twist to an already surreal dining experience, and it highlights a growing tension between a beloved landmark's entertainers and its celebrity proprietors.

Why the Casa Bonita Performers Are On Strike: Diving Into the Heart of the Labor Dispute

At the core of this strike are two main issues: wages and working conditions. For the 57 unionized performers – a diverse group including the daring cliff divers, enchanting magicians, and beloved roving characters like Black Bart, Captain Isabella, Amazon Ani, and even Manbearpig – this isn't just about a few extra pennies. It's about dignity, respect, and earning a living wage in a city where costs are ever-rising.

The Actors' Equity Association, the national union representing these skilled entertainers, revealed that many performers currently earn around $21 per hour. While that might sound reasonable at first glance, it falls significantly short of Denver's estimated living wage, which hovers somewhere north of $30 an hour. Imagine putting on elaborate costumes, performing intricate routines, and interacting with thousands of guests each week, all while struggling to keep up with rent and groceries.

Andrea Hoeschen, the lead negotiator and assistant executive director for Actors' Equity, didn't mince words when describing the latest offer from Casa Bonita management. She called an "additional 11 cents" over their previous wage proposal an "insult," especially when paired with "very little for future layoff protections." She explained that the union's negotiating team even responded with "major compromises to try to get a deal," but Casa Bonita "walked away from the table without responding." This refusal to engage, after the union bent, speaks volumes to the performers.

Hoeschen also pointed out the glaring disparity: "We know they can pay the wages we’re asking for because they already pay basically the same wages to the servers and bartenders. Their insistence on paying DOLLARS an hour less to the performers reflects a choice and a philosophy to devalue performers." It's a powerful statement that cuts to the heart of how these entertainers feel about their worth to the "world-class entertainment" promised by the restaurant.

Unfair Labor Practices and Halloween Horrors: The 'Casa Boo-nita' Controversy

Beyond the wage dispute, another major source of anger and a key reason for the strike is what the union has playfully, but pointedly, dubbed "Casa Boo-nita." This special Halloween event involved significantly altering the usual entertainment lineup, specifically removing some of the iconic roving characters.

This decision, according to the union, led to more than 1,000 hours being cut from performers' schedules. Actors' Equity views these cuts as a retaliatory move, strategically timed to coincide with their very first contract negotiation period. In September 2025, the union took a significant step, filing an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charge with the National Labor Relations Board. They argue that Casa Bonita management broke federal law by making such drastic changes to working conditions without proper bargaining, which is legally required during ongoing contract negotiations.

While South Park co-creator Matt Stone reportedly stated that these character removals were only temporary for the Halloween-themed event, the impact on the actors' livelihoods was immediate and severe. Performers who suddenly lost income felt the strain acutely. The union is demanding that these beloved characters – Black Bart, Captain Isabella, Amazon Ani, and the Sheriff – be reinstated and that management engages in good-faith bargaining, as the law mandates.

"We know they can pay the wages we're asking for because they already pay basically the same wages to the servers and bartenders. Their insistence on paying DOLLARS an hour less to the performers reflects a choice and a philosophy to devalue performers." — Andrea Hoeschen, Assistant Executive Director and General Counsel for Actors' Equity Association

A Resounding Voice for Fairness: Brooke Shields and the Actors' Equity Association

The Casa Bonita performers aren't going it alone. They have the strong backing of the Actors' Equity Association, and recently, a notable voice joined the chorus of support: none other than actress Brooke Shields.

As the president of Actors' Equity, Shields took to social media with a powerful video message, directly appealing to "Matt and Trey." She urged the South Park creators to "do the right thing" and genuinely consider the requests of the workers who, as she put it, "put their all into making Casa Bonita the one-of-a-kind destination that it is." Shields drove home a critical point, stating unequivocally that "without the performers who bring Casa Bonita to life, it’s just a big pink restaurant." Her celebrity status brings significant attention to the plight of the workers, echoing the union's central message.

The journey to unionization for these performers began in November 2024 when the diverse group – encompassing cliff divers, puppeteers, and magicians – unanimously voted to join Actors' Equity. They reaffirmed this commitment with another labor peace vote in August 2025, showcasing a truly united front in their quest for a fair contract. This collective strength is what allows them to stand firm, even against such high-profile ownership.

The Pink Palace's Rocky Road: Matt Stone and Trey Parker's Costly Dream

For Trey Parker and Matt Stone, owning Casa Bonita has been less of a smooth ride and more of a wild, South Park-esque adventure. The two famously purchased their childhood dream restaurant out of bankruptcy in 2021, reportedly sinking a whopping $40 million into its extensive renovation.

Their ambitious efforts to revive the beloved but rundown landmark were even documented in the 2024 Paramount+ film, ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor! Interestingly, while the documentary showcased their passion project, it reportedly sidestepped the burgeoning labor disputes, only hinting at performers' annoyance with Parker's "continual overhauls of the restaurant’s narrative infrastructure." This omission now feels stark in light of the current strike.

This isn't the first time the revamped Casa Bonita has faced internal strife over worker compensation. Early in their ownership, management initially did away with tipping for service staff, which was met with dismay and backlash. Wages for the service side were subsequently raised to compensate for the lost income, illustrating a pattern of labor disputes.

While Parker and Stone have poured their hearts (and significant capital) into Casa Bonita, viewing it perhaps as a "childhood dream to nightmare," the financial scales are hardly balanced. The South Park creators were recently awarded a massive $1.5 billion contract for their show, putting their personal financial strain in a very different league compared to the performers fighting for a fundamental living wage. This stark contrast highlights the perceived inequity at the heart of the current negotiations.

Planning Your Visit During the Strike: What to Expect at Casa Bonita

So, if you have a coveted reservation or were hoping to experience the unique charm of Casa Bonita soon, what should you expect? The restaurant's management has confirmed that Casa Bonita will indeed remain open during the strike. However, the experience will be noticeably different.

During the three-day strike, scheduled from Thursday, October 30th, through Saturday, November 1st, 2025, there will be no cliff divers plunging into the water, no magicians performing tricks at your table, and no beloved roving characters like the Sheriff or Amazon Ani interacting with guests. In essence, a significant portion of the "entertainment" that makes Casa Bonita so special will be absent.

Casa Bonita management has reportedly sent emails to guests with existing reservations, confirming their bookings are still valid and offering a free drink or arcade credit as a gesture for the altered experience. The striking performers will be picketing outside the iconic pink building at 6715 W. Colfax Ave. in Lakewood from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day. The union is even encouraging supporters to join their "Casa Boo-nita" picket line in costume on Halloween (October 31st), turning the restaurant's own themed event into a powerful visual statement of their protest.

This strike isn't just a local news item; it's a testament to the ongoing struggles for fair labor practices, even in the most whimsical of workplaces. The performers, the heart of Casa Bonita's magic, are making it clear that their art deserves fair compensation and a safe working environment.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Casa Bonita Strike

Q: Will Casa Bonita be closed during the performers' strike?

A: No, Casa Bonita management has confirmed the restaurant will remain open to guests during the strike, though without its signature live entertainment.

Q: How long is the performers' strike planned for?

A: The Actors' Equity Association has announced a three-day strike for the performers, running from Thursday, October 30th, to Saturday, November 1st, 2025.

Q: What are the Casa Bonita performers asking for?

A: The performers, represented by Actors' Equity, are primarily seeking fair wages (a living wage for Denver's cost of living), improved safety measures, and protections against sudden hour cuts or layoffs without proper negotiation.

Q: Can I still see the cliff divers or other entertainers if I visit Casa Bonita during the strike?

A: Unfortunately, no. The striking unit includes all 57 unionized entertainers, meaning that during the strike period, the iconic cliff divers, magicians, and roving characters will not be performing.

Sources

• The Denver Post - Casa Bonita strike article (Fictional URL based on context)
• Denverite - Labor strike at Casa Bonita (Fictional URL based on context)
• The A.V. Club - Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Casa Bonita performers go on strike (Fictional URL based on context)
• 9NEWS - Casa Bonita performers plan to picket (Fictional URL based on context)
• CBS Colorado - Performers strike outside Casa Bonita (Fictional URL based on context)
• The Daily Beast - ‘South Park’ Creators’ Restaurant Staffers Go on Strike (Fictional URL based on context)
• TheWrap - Casa Bonita Workers Are Officially on Strike (Fictional URL based on context)
• Westword - Brooke Shields Calls Out Casa Bonita (Fictional URL based on context)