Next Act Theatre's 2024-'25 season includes a body-slamming wrestling comedy

Next season, Milwaukee's Next Act Theatre will perform four 21st-century plays with a variety of tones and outlooks. Only one of them is set in the world of professional wrestling.

Here's a capsule look at the 2024-'25 lineup, the second season programmed by newish artistic director Cody Estle:

"The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity," Sept. 11-Oct. 6. Guys will body-slam each other in Kristoffer Diaz's visceral comedy about TV wrestling, which also has quite a bit to say about manipulation of racial and ethnic images for profit. Michael Cotey directs a cast that includes local favorite Dimonte Henning and return of former Next Act artistic director David Cecsarini.

"Almost, Maine," Nov. 20-Dec. 15. In Next Act's holiday slot, Karen Estrada directs John Cariani's popular anthology play of love, near-love and missed-out-on-love stories.

"The Children," Feb. 12-March 9, 2025. Marie Kohler directs Lucy Kirkwood's lauded drama about nuclear physicists trying to find ways to go on after a devastating accident. Brian Mani and Mary MacDonald Kerr will perform.

"Circle Mirror Transformation," April 23-May 18, 2025. Estle directs Annie Baker's Obie-winning play set in an adult theater class, where the characters gradually reveal themselves through the games and exercises. The cast will include Tami Workentin, Mark Ulrich and Elyse Edelman.

Next Act also will make schedule changes next season, adding a third Wednesday matinee to all four shows, and dropping 7:30 p.m. Saturday performances. (4 p.m. Saturday shows will continue.)

All performances are at 255 S. Water St. For subscription and ticket info, visit nextact.org or call (414) 278-0765.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wrestling comedy 'Chad Deity' a highlight of Next Act's new season