Oceanside Theatre Company Steps Into the Ring With Cast of The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity
Explosive, Award-Winning Satire of Professional Wrestling Runs March 13–29, 2026
at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater
(Oceanside) February 17, 2026 – Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC at the Brooks) has announced the cast for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Kristoffer Diaz’s high-octane, award-winning satire set inside the spectacle of professional wrestling. The production runs March 13–29, 2026 at the historic Sunshine Brooks Theater (217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA).
Winner of the Obie Award for Best New American Play and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity body-slams its way into conversations about race, power, nationalism, and performance in American culture. Equal parts spectacle and social commentary, the play pulls back the curtain on the stories we’re sold—and the systems that create them. The production will feature a full-scale 14’ x 14’ wrestling ring onstage, in partnership with SoCal Pro Wrestling, bringing the spectacle and physicality of professional wrestling directly into the theater.
“Partnering with SoCal Pro Wrestling has allowed us to approach this production with authenticity and respect for the art form,” said Artistic Director and Co-Director Kevin “Blax” Burroughs. “From bringing a full-scale wrestling ring onto our stage to training our actors in the physical language of wrestling, this collaboration ensures the spectacle is real — and that the storytelling is grounded in truth.”
“Aristotle defined six essential elements of drama: plot, character, thought, diction, song, and spectacle,” said Co-Director Durwood Murray Jr. “When you really think about it, professional wrestling checks every box. Wrestling is theatre.”
The cast features Fredy Gomez Cruz as Macedonio Guerra, aka “The Mace,” a lifelong wrestling fan turned “jobber”; Seth Gunawardena as Vigneshwar Paduar, aka “VP,” a fast-talking provocateur who helps flip the wrestling narrative; Wrekless Watson as the bombastic and magnetic Chad Deity; Dallas McLaughlin as Everett K. Olson, aka “EKO,” the smooth-talking architect of wrestling storylines; Jackson Wright as EKO alternate (performing March 20–22); and Ryan Dylan Wargnier in multiple roles including The Bad Guy, Billy Heartland, and Old Glory.
The creative team for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity is led by Co-Directors Kevin “Blax” Burroughs and Durwood Murray Jr. with Burroughs also serving as Lighting Designer. Tori Jones returns to OTC as Stage Manager and Props/Set Dressing, joined by Assistant Stage Manager Joshua Ramos, who also appears in the production onstage as the Referee. The design team includes Andre Buck Jr. as Music Composer, Estefania Ricalde as Sound and Projection Designer, Zoë Trautmann as Costume Designer, and Geronimo Omabtang, OTC’s Technical Director, as Scenic Designer—bringing together longtime OTC collaborators and in-house creative leadership to support this dynamic production.
“This is one of those shows where ideas and designs have been cooking for quite some time,” continued Burroughs. “With this show originally being slated to open the 2025 season with this exact design team, we have slowly been sharing ideas for the production for almost a year and a half! While this team includes knowledgeable wrestling fans and some who are brand new to the artform, the end product of this rarely produced play is truly going to be something wonderful to witness.”
Patrons will have the opportunity to purchase on-stage seating, placing them directly in the action for an immersive experience. Each stage seat includes one complimentary alcoholic drink of their choice (21+ with valid ID).
Tickets are on sale now at OceansideTheatre.org or through the OTC Box Office at (760) 433-8900.
Show Details
The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity
Written by Kristoffer Diaz
March 13 – March 29, 2026
Sunshine Brooks Theater (217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside, CA, 92054)
OceansideTheatre.org | 760-433-8900
Tickets: $25-$40; On-stage seating available for $50-$60 (with one complimentary drink ticket)
Fridays at 8 PM, Sundays at 3 PM
Saturday, March 21 at 3 PM | Saturday, March 28 at 8 PM
Special Events
Preview Night – Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8 PM
Opening Night – Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 8 PM
Military Matinee with Post-Show Talkback – Sunday, March 15, 2026 at 3 PM
Artist Talkback – Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 3 PM
Industry Night – Monday, March 23, 2026 at 8 PM
Student Night – Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 8 PM
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.
Full bios and headshots of the cast and creative team can be found at https://oceansidetheatre.org/chad-deity/.
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.