Preview Night

March 13, 2026

Opening Night

March 14, 2026

Performance Dates

March 14 – 29, 2026

Show Dates/Times

Fridays at 8 PM, Sundays at 3 PM
Saturday, March 21 at 3 PM | Saturday, March 28 at 8 PM

This explosive play body slams its way into the world of professional wrestling, where larger-than-life personas and real-world politics collide. At the heart of the story is Macedonio “Mace” Guerra, a lifelong wrestling fan turned “jobber,” paid to lose in the ring to make the bigger stars look good. But when Mace teams up with Vigneshwar Paduar, a fast-talking Brooklynite of Indian descent, the wrestling execs craft a controversial narrative, casting them as “terrorists.” Mace and Vigneshwar, however, are determined to flip the script—pushing their characters to the extreme to expose the unspoken racism and deep-rooted politics within the industry.

Winner of the 2011 Obie Award for Best New American Play, the 2008 National Latino Playwriting Award, and a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity is a high-octane, thought-provoking satire that leaves everything on the mat, delivering a powerful punch of humor, courage, and social commentary.

Content Disclaimer: The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity contains mature subject matter that may be activating for some audience members. This play uses strong language, simulated violence/fighting, racial stereotypes, flashing lights and haze effects. 

Kevin “Blax” Burroughs (He/Him)

Co-Director

Durwood Murray Jr. (He/Him)

Co-Director

Fredy Gomez Cruz (He/They)

MACEDONIO GUERRA AKA “THE MACE”

Fredy Gomez Cruz is a bi-national, bilingual Mexica actor, singer, dancer, and musician working throughout the West Coast. Fredy is proud to contribute to the joy, grace, and fight his Latine community exhibits every day, onstage. Credits include: Globe for All: Julius Caesar (Old Globe), Girl With the Golden Boots (Mosaic Theatricals), Bridging Turtle Island (IN THE MARGIN), Shuuluk Wechuwvi: Where Lightning Was Born (Teatro Las Hermanas), La Havana Madrid (New Village Arts), Stranger Sings (OTC), and La Lucha (Optika Moderna). He is grateful to his wife, ancestors, and community, who continuously inspire him. www.fredygomezcruz.com

Seth Gunawardena (He/Him)

VIGNESHWAR PADUAR AKA “VP”

Seth Gunawardena is a Los Angeles based actor, he was most recently seen in नेहा & Neel as the understudy for Neel at LATC. He has charmed audiences as VP in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, and as Suresh in Animals Out of Paper at the Chautauqua Institution directed by Lamar Perry, in 2022. He completed his B.A. in Theatre at University of California San Diego. During his time at UCSD, he had the honor of playing VP and is beyond excited and honored to be a part of this production.

Wrekless Watson (He/Him)

CHAD DEITY

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Wrekless Watson has been immersed in the arts since age seven. His work spans television, film, and theater, including Voodoo Macbeth, Forbidden Fruit, I Can See Your Voice, HBO’s Insecure, Blue Man Group, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Father Comes Home from the Wars. He is also the host of @takethenotela in Los Angeles. Wrekless is a Craig Noel Award winner and Emmy nominee. Trained at Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School, Harlem School of the Arts, Juilliard’s Music Advancement Program, and Fort Valley State University, he continues a multigenerational artistic legacy. Follow him on Instagram: @wreklesswatson.

Dallas McLaughlin (He/Him)

EVERETT K. OLSON AKA “EKO”

Dallas McLaughlin is a multi-Emmy winning performer, writer and director. San Diego audiences most recently saw him as Cal in ‘Waitress’ at The Moonlight. Notable credits: Merchant of Venice (Lincoln Center), Tootsie (The Moonlight), The Ferryman [West Coast Premiere] (New Village Arts), Jesus Christ Superstar (The Moonlight), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime [Regional Premiere] (CCAE Theatricals), 39 Steps (New Village Arts), and Jurassic Park: The Musical (UCB NY/LA). Television credits include ‘Yo! Gabba Gabba’ (Nick, Jr), ‘The Aquabats! Super Show!’ (HUB), and ‘Film InDiego’ (PBS). Dallas is also an award-winning storyteller/comedian whose last two albums both debuted at #2 on the Apple Music Comedy charts. In his spare time he enjoys burritos and his wife’s opinions on Harry Connick Jr’s career. @dallassmclauglin on IG.

Jackson Wright (He/Him)

EVERETT K. OLSON AKA “EKO” U/S (Performs 3/20 – 3/22)

Jackson is excited to be making his Oceanside Theatre Company Debut with The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. A San Diego Native, Jackson has been seen performing all over San Diego county, for theaters like SDMT (Legally Blonde) and Moonlight Amphitheatre (Jesus Christ Superstar), to singing in theme parks like Legoland and Seaworld. A graduate from the musical theatre program at San Diego State University, Jackson has been a part of several new works that all made world premieres in San Diego, like Postcard American Town and Ensemble: The Musical (Tenth Avenue Arts Center). His favorite roles have been Kyle (Legally Blonde), JD (Heathers), and Hanschen (Spring Awakening).

Ryan Dylan Wargnier (He/Him)

THE BAD GUY/BILLY HEARTLAND/
OLD GLORY

Ryan Dylan Wargnier is excited to make his Oceanside Theatre Company debut in The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. Recent credits include Aaron in the award-winning short film, “The Mari Lwyd” and Sonny in “Three Can Keep a Secret” with Theatre Unleashed. Ryan graduated with an AFA in Theatre Arts from Santa Monica College. He is thankful to his wife and best friend, Hailey, for giving so much of her time for him and their boys and supporting his dream even when he has so little time to give back.