The Royale Hits the Ring at Lincoln Center
Marco Ramirez's new play The Royale is now in performances at Lincoln Center's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, preparing for its official March 7 opening.
Directed by Rachel Chavkin, the cast includes Tony nominee Montego Glover (It Shoulda Been You) and Tony-nominated book writer Clarke Peters (Five Guys Named Moe) as well as McKinley Belcher III, Khris Davis, and John Lavelle.
Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world champion, The Royale tells the fictional story of Jay "The Sport" Johnson (Davis). In the play, it's 1905 and as Johnson faces his opponents – and confronts his demons – he exposes the troublesome events in his life that have propelled him into the ring.