by Marco Ramirez
Directed by Austene Van
Feb 2 - March 4, 2018
The Royale
Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. But it’s 1905 and, in the racially segregated world of boxing, his chances are as good as knocked out. Told in six rounds and set in a boxing ring, The Royale is inspired by the story of Jack Johnson, an African American boxer whose quick rise to stardom made him a world-wide phenomenon. But at the height of the Jim Crow era, victory for a black man over a white man posed untold dangers and Jay quickly finds himself fighting for more than just a title. Written by award-winning American writer Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy, Orange is the New Black), Yellow Tree is thrilled to host the regional premiere of this extraordinary new play! “Original and graceful, The Royale packs a punch!”–The New York Times
Cast: David Murray*, Santino Craven, James Craven*, Tamala Lacy, and Charles Fraser*
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
“The Royale is one of the very best Twin Cities productions mounted so far in the 2017-2018 season—dare I say, a total knockout. I will happily return to Yellow Tree, but they will be hard-pressed to match the caliber of this production any time soon.”...”From the first instant to the closing tableau, every moment of The Royale holds the audience in rapt, edge of the seat attention.”
— TALKIN' BROADWAY
“The Royale is a rhythmic knockout!”...”tautly engaging”...”hypnotic, transporting”...”you feel the ground fall out from under you”...”well-paced, propulsive production”...”strong performances”...”This muscular, crafty cast helps to give “The Royale” its knockout punch.””
— ROHAN PRESTON, MPLS. STAR TRIBUNE
