The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

by Kristoffer Diaz

The Arthur Wagner Theatre
University of California, San Diego

San Diego, California
February 2022

In an industry that has been notoriously steeped in racism, sexism, and homophobia, Professional Wrestler Macedonio “The Mace” Guerra is desperate for the opportunity to honor what drew him to wrestling as a child: community, teamwork, and-above all else-storytelling. Because he is the organization’s most skilled and convincing performer, Mace is always choreographed to lose his fights. Even worse, he is given no control over the characters he plays or the messages he sends-that’s up to EKO, his offensive and opportunistic boss. When he teams up with VP, a charismatic Indian-American rookie, it seems he may finally have the opportunity to do what he’s always wanted: control his own narrative and tell one perfect story. The Elaborate Entrance Of Chad Deity is a play about agency, representation, toxic masculinity, and the beauty of men working together. In this production of Chad Deity, the spectacle of the enormous ring has been swapped for a tiny toy replica, the male actors manipulating action figures that represent their characters whenever it is time to “fight”. What better way to grapple with the questions the play poses then by watching five men sitting in a room playing with dolls?