The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

A Geffen Playhouse presentation of the play in 2 functions by Kristoffer Diaz. Directed by Edward Torres. Macedonio Guerra (Mace) - Desmin BorgesVigneshwar Paduar (Vice president) - Usman AllyChad Deity - Terence ArchieEverett K. Olson (EKO) - Steve ValentineBilly Heartland/Old Glory/Cameraman - Timothy TalbottThe Theif/Cameraman - Justin LeeperDramatists are told to "write that which you know," and youthful Kristoffer Diaz certainly knows the field of pro wrestling, its sainted tropes as formal as Kabuki. He's also conscious of wrestling's metaphoric energy, loading up "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" having a sardonic critique of styles American within the guise of the WWF lampoon. The acclaimed Pulitzer-finalist play gets to the Geffen from Chicago and Gotham with original lead stars, helmer Edward Torres and audacity intact. When the entertaining spectacle lacks real anger and kick, well, so the purveyors from the sport it shows. Journeyman wrestler Mace (Desmin Borges) is our jivey, rapping tour guide from his sad-sack position as regularly designated loser to the kind of fancy champion Deity (Terence Archie). When the former reminds you of Usnavi from "Within the Levels," as the latter invokes Fishing rod Tidwell demanding Jerry Maguire show him the cash, that familiarity does not lessen the benefit of their energetic tag-team act. As Mace highlights in the vaguely anticapitalist way, "you cannot kick a man's ass without the assistance of the man whose ass you are kicking," which mugs get it lower to some science. But Mace yearns to segue from stooge to entrepreneur, getting a meal ticket inside a local Indian stylish-hop phenom. "V.P." (Usman Ally) is definitely an absolutely original creation, a smart wiseguy wanting to grab the American dream even in the cost of carrying out practiced antics before booing crowds, within the persona of the Muslim terrorist known as "The Fundamentalist." (His niche move the "Sleeper Cell" can floor any opponent, even one covered with the American flag. Through the play, such symbols crash like cymbals.) Cast newcomer Steve Valentine gleefully exudes smarmy-Limey charm like a Vince McMahon figure, and Borges, Archie and Ally could not become more riveting. Nor could their bouts become more convincing, fight choreographer David Woolley surely getting inspiration from real wrestlers Timothy Talbott and Justin Leeper in residence. Torres keeps the experience lively and real, deftly shifting from intimate truth-telling towards the elaborate lies performed on canvas beneath Jesse Klug's rock-concert lighting, abetted by Mikhail Fiksel's extremely wealthy seem design. However the whole is one thing under the sum of the its parts, its satirical injections too diffuse, its styles too coldly - and sometimes wearily and windily - typed out by Mace. And there is a hollowness in the play's center, in Mace's nostalgia for that wrestling of his Bronx youth as seen on the small TV with grand daddy and siblings. Despair though he might concerning the profession's decline in community and recognition, there appears little difference in wholesomeness between Hulk Hogan's old-time posturing bombast and Mace's no-steenking-badges "Che Chavez Castro" caricature. In either case, as "Dreamgirls" told us 3 decades ago, it's showbiz - just showbiz. Much, "Chad Deity" will get perfectly indeed.Sets, John Sidney Bembridge costumes, Christina Haatainen Johnson lighting, Jesse Klug seem, Mikhail Fiksel forecasts and video, Peter Negrini fight direction, David Woolley. Opened up, examined Sept. 7, 2011. Runs through March.9. Running time: 2 Hrs, 5 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com