Oceanside Theatre Company Announces
2026 Subscription Season
A Bold Line-up Challenges Structures of Society with A Body-Slamming Political Satire,
Beloved Comedy, and A Dark Thriller
(Oceanside) January 14, 2026 – Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC) announces its 2026 Subscription Season at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater (217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA). Curated by Artistic Director Kevin “Blax” Burroughs, the three-show season explores how individuals and communities confront, question, and rebuild the structures that shape their lives — socially, politically, and personally.
Titled Challenging Structure: Breaking Down and Building Up, the season features a daring mix of acclaimed contemporary plays, including a razor-sharp political satire, a beloved participatory comedy, and a dark, semi-immersive reimagining of a Stephen King classic.
The season includes The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, an explosive satire of professional wrestling and American identity; the Tony Award–winning crowd favorite The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; and Carrie: The Musical, a semi-immersive reimagining of Stephen King’s iconic story of repression and empowerment.
“OTC at the Brooks has grown tremendously over the past few years, and with that growth comes a responsibility to keep asking bold questions,” said Burroughs. “Each production this season examines the systems that shape our identities — faith, politics, social hierarchy — and what happens when those systems crack. My hope is that audiences leave feeling empowered to challenge, create, and grow.”
Season Subscriptions are now on sale and Single Tickets will be available February 2, 2025 at OceansideTheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at (760) 433-8900.
THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY
March 13 – 29, 2026
Winner of the Obie Award for Best New American Play and a Pulitzer Prize finalist
Written by Kristoffer Diaz
Co-Directed by Kevin “Blax” Burroughs & Durwood Murray Jr.
Set inside the over-the-top world of professional wrestling, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity takes aim at race, nationalism, and performance in American culture. When a lifelong “jobber” and his outspoken manager manipulate wrestling personas to expose industry hypocrisy, the spectacle becomes a powerful act of rebellion.
Content Advisory: Mature language, racial stereotypes, simulated violence, haze, and flashing lights.
Special Events:
Preview Night – Friday, March 13, 2026, 8 PM
Opening Night – Saturday, March 14, 2026, 8 PM
Military Matinee – Sunday, March 15, 2026, 3 PM
Artist Talkback – Saturday, March 21, 2026, 3 PM
Industry Night – Monday, March 23, 2026, 8 PM
Student Night – Saturday, March 28, 2026, 8 PM
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
May 29 – June 14, 2026
A Tender, Chaotic Comedy of Childhood and Competition
Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by Rachel Sheinkin
Conceived by Rebecca Feldman
Additional Material by Jay Reiss
Direction & Choreography by Melissa Glasgow
Musical Direction by Richard Dueñez Morrison
This Tony Award–winning musical follows six quirky adolescents competing in a spelling bee that’s equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking. Featuring audience participation and a sharp, compassionate sense of humor, Spelling Bee celebrates the awkwardness of growing up — and the joy of being exactly who you are.
Special Events:
Preview Night – Friday, May 29, 2026, 8 PM
Opening Night – Saturday, May 30, 2026, 8 PM
Military Matinee – Sunday, May 31, 2026, 3 PM
Artist Talkbacks – Saturdays, June 6 & 13, 2026, 3 PM
Student Night – Saturday, June 6, 2026, 8 PM
Industry Night – Monday, June 8, 2026, 8 PM
Carrie the Musical
October 16 – November 1, 2026
Dark, Thrilling Musical Drama
Music by Michael Gore
Lyrics by Dean Pitchford
Book by Lawrence D. Cohen
Based on the novel by Stephen King
Direction & Choreography by Kevin “Blax” Burroughs
Musical Direction by Benjamin Goniea
A chilling, semi-immersive adaptation of Stephen King’s iconic novel, Carrie explores repression, cruelty, and power through the eyes of a teenage girl discovering terrifying abilities. The 2012 Off-Broadway revival redefined the musical as a cathartic, emotionally raw experience — and OTC’s production promises to be unforgettable.
Content Disclaimer: Carrie the Musical contains mature subject matter that may be activating for some audience members and is intended for mature audiences. The production includes depictions of bullying, religious extremism, homophobic slurs, violence, and death, as well as discussions of menstruation, and group violence in a school setting. Strobe-like lighting effects, haze & fake blood will be used during this production.
Special Events:
Preview Night – Friday, October 16, 2026 8 PM
Opening Night – Saturday, October 17, 2026, 8 PM
Military Matinee – Sunday, October 18, 2026, 3 PM
Artist Talkbacks – Saturdays, October 24 & 31, 2026, 3 PM
Student Night – Saturday, October 24, 2026, 8 PM
Industry Night – Monday, October 26, 2026, 8 PM
About Oceanside Theatre Company
Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), the resident company of the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater in downtown Oceanside, is a cornerstone of the Oceanside California Cultural District. OTC presents professional theatre, live music, and visual arts, along with year-round educational programs and youth outreach initiatives. Learn more at oceansidetheatre.org or follow @oceansidetheatrecompany on social media.