Watch a Scene from CHAD DEITY

Here's a scene from THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY. Watch as Chad Deity (played by Donté Bonner) soundly defeats Joe Jabroni (played by Nick Martorelli) then delivers a stern warning to his latest challengers, Mace and VP:



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InterAct Celebrates 10 Seasons with Scholar-In-Residence Dr. Salman Akhtar

Dr. Salman Akhtar is a Professor of Psychiatry at Jefferson Medical College and a Training and Supervising Analyst at the Psychoanalytic Center of Philadelphia. For the last 9 years, he has also served as Scholar-In-Residence for InterAct, guest speaking during the Speaker Sunday post-show discussion series for almost every production since the 2000/2001 Season began.

In honor of Dr. Salman Akhtar's 10th Season, InterAct's Producing Artisic Director Seth Rozin writes:

On a whim, in September of 2000, I contacted Dr. Salman Akhtar to be a speaker following one of our performances of NIXON’S NIXON. I had seen Akhtar’s endorsement on the back of a book called A Psychoanalisis of Richard Nixon and noticed he worked for the Psychoanalytic Institute of Philadelphia. I had no idea at the time that Dr. Akhtar was such a widely acclaimed, world renowned clinical psychiatrist, educator and author. Nine years later he has spoken at more than 25 performances, treating our audiences and artists alike to brilliant insights about the plays we’ve produced. Still, I had no idea just how important a figure Dr. Akhtar has been. Until last week, when I was invited to the unveiling of his portrait at Jefferson University, where he has been a professor for thirty years. I learned that Dr. Akhtar is the author and/or editor of thirty books about psychoanalysis, as well as six volumes of his own poetry. I learned that he is regularly invited to speak around the world about such epic topics as war, religion and cultural evolution. I learned that he has influenced two generations of psychoanalysts worldwide. And there in the program, at the end of his very impressive bio, he lists himself as Scholar-in-Residence at InterAct Theatre Company.

I cannot tell you how honored I feel to have had Salman as part of the InterAct family. In addition to his generous contribution to InterAct, he has become a cherished friend and colleague. On behalf of all of us at InterAct I want to congratulate Salman on his extraordinary achievements and for making the world a decidedly better place.

- Seth Rozin

Dr. Salman Akhtar will be the featured guest at the Speaker Sunday post-show discussion following the 2:00 p.m. matinee performance of THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY on Sunday, November 15.

Find out more about Dr. Salman Akhtar here

Get your tickets to InterAct's CHAD DEITY here

InterAct Partners with Dragon Gate USA

InterAct Theatre Company is pleased to announce a partnership with Dragon Gate USA in order to promote its critically-acclaimed production of THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY, running now through November 22.

Dragon Gate USA is the newest sensation on the North American pro wrestling scene. Forget about wrestling you know from TV, this is the most innovative, athletic action on the planet featuring the most skilled wrestlers from Japan, Mexico and the United States. The theatre of pro wrestling has evolved with these stylish fighters and cutting edge characters. DGUSA will hold its next event on November 28th in Philadelphia at the legendary Arena in South Philly (around the corner from Tony Luke's).

You can sample DGUSA by watching a free preview if you have On Demand. It is in the same section with WWE, UFC, boxing free previews. Visit www.DGUSA.tv for more info on Dragon Gate USA. Watch free videos on the Dragon Gate USA channel on YouTube and see why these these guys are as much artists as athletes.


Check out CHAD DEITY's rave reviews

Get your tickets to InterAct's CHAD DEITY today!

CHAD DEITY Getting Raves From Audiences & Critics Alike

Critics and audiences are beginning to spread the word that CHAD DEITY is a production not to be missed! Take a look at what they're saying...

Philadelphia Inquirer, Howard Shapiro:

"Nimble, Funny, Thoughtful Headlock On Wrestling

On tonight's wrestling card, we have the American who stands for everything good we learned in civics, or from Mom or by eating apple pie - Chad Deity. He's pure of thought, black and beautiful, resplendent in ringside bling and a shining gold jockstrap. He's built like your proverbial brick facility.

(His given name is Darnell, but shhhh!)

... This is wrestling, slyly scripted at best, pathetically cynical at worst ... It's also theater that puts you in a solid intellectual headlock and won't let up - funny throughout, thoughtful, and commanding, with a script as nimble as the champ it depicts. In its dynamic InterAct Theater staging by Seth Rozin, the company's producing artistic director, Chad Deity fills the ring with characters you wish you really knew, portrayed by actors who make sure you'll know them. ... The cast here is impeccable ... the action [is] as real in the ring as it is in a play that rings true."

Philadelphia Weekly, J. Cooper Robb:

"InterAct challenges stereotypes on and off the wrestling mats in a boisterous new production ...

Hip-hop theater takes a big step forward with Kristoffer Diaz’s dynamic new play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity ...

Diaz’s satire focuses on Macedonia Guerra (Juan Pacheco in an impressive professional stage debut). Known as “Mace,” Guerra is perhaps the most likeable narrator since Thornton Wilder’s stage manager in Our Town ...

Rozin’s blisteringly paced, razor sharp production captures the play’s hip-hop rhythms and sense of moral outrage ... Both funny and smart, Entrance is the rare play that makes us laugh and think at the same time. America has real enemies in the world, but in Entrance it’s our need to stereotype alleged outsiders as a threat that emerges as the true danger."

CurtainUp.com, Kathryn Osenlund:

"... Quite a departure for InterAct in staging and feel, but playwright Kristoffer Diaz's ideas are right up their alley. ... an inspired theatrical choice ... It pulls you in ...

Juan Pacheco's Mace is lean and smart with shining eyes and a nimble tongue. ... He speaks his wisdom in crazy street talk, asides and critiques, and brings everyone on board ... What a fine actor in an enormous role! Mace's saavy view is pointed and funny as hell.

In the end Diaz's play packs a lethal slam in a tiny question that sobers you up even as you're laughing. ... Under the insightful direction of Producing Artistic Director Seth Rozin, InterAct's large production team has created a bright, crass, exciting world. ... It is fabulously entertaining and all-out fun, even as quiet, simmering rage seeps through dressed as irony about ridiculous, damaging federation profiling. ...

How to explain how it sparkles? Playwright Kristoffer Diaz's creation is a skillful mix of wrestling posturing, pizzazz and vulgarity. Allegory dressed up in non-stop, hilarious, tasteless, brilliant commentary."

Philadelphia City Paper, Mark Cofta:

"... Juan Pacheco is brilliant ... Shalin Agarwal is outrageously magnetic ... a fine production ... good storytelling."

KYW Newsradio 1060, Bob Nelson:

"... Chad Deity humorously slams professional wrestling to the mat ... an elaborate production ... a tidal wave of energy and theatrical detail ... if you're aching for a physically wacky good time ... this just may be your show ... "

AUDIENCE RESPONSES:

Crystal Whybark, Theatre Alliance Listserv member posted:

"I was totally blown away by this production! Please go and see this show as soon as you can ... Even if you've never had any interest in wrestling, the intense performances and engaging dialogue really do make this a memorable piece of theater. I won't even get into the fantastic stunt choreography, or the use of live cameras... just go see it. Seriously, you will love it!"

Henry Pashkow, Theatre Alliance Listserv member posted:

"I went to see THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY last night. It's a very unusual play, wonderfully acted and directed. And the writing is both poetic and funny. Quite a theatrical experience. Don't miss it."

Kathy P. emailed:

"The play was outstanding. Up there among the very best we've seen at InterAct."

Tim R. emailed:

"... I thought Chad Diety was the best play I have seen in the past few years. It was funny, thoughtful, lively, original and entertaining ... everything I want on a night out."

Tom D. emailed:

“Just wanted to say how much my girlfriend and I enjoyed the show last night. It was thoroughly entertaining, from beginning to end. We could not be more pleased with our decision to attend. Please extend our appreciation to the entire cast, writer and crew. We look forward to future productions from your company.”

An anonymous blog reader posted:

“Loved the show! What an entertaining and poignant way to approach the political and social issues we deal with in America today as minorities. Excellent story, acting was fabulous and all around a fun evening.”

Check out a few of the rave reviews of CHAD DEITY at Victory Gardens in Chicago.

Get your tickets to InterAct's CHAD DEITY today!

CHAD DEITY on Rep Radio

Rep Radio's Chris Morse interviewed director Seth Rozin and actor Juan Pacheco about what it took to bring CHAD DEITY to life, their hesitations about performing the Power Bomb, and what their "finisher" will be when they make their professional wrestling debuts...

Listen to Chris Morse's interview on Rep Radio's website.

Seth Rozin, Chris Morse and Juan Pacheco.

Photo by and used with permission of Nathan Irvin.

View more photos of Rep Radio's Interview.

Get your tickets to InterAct's CHAD DEITY today!