Writers Theatre Stages Marco Ramirez's 'The Royale' Through Nov. 29
Tyrone Phillips directs a new production of the play about boxer Jack Johnson, featuring La'Tevin Alexander as the lead.
By Luka Evans ·
A new staging of Marco Ramirez's play "The Royale" runs at Writers Theatre in Glencoe through Nov. 29. The production features La'Tevin Alexander in the role of Jay Jackson, a fictionalized version of the heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. The play explores the racial tensions surrounding Johnson's 1910 fight against Jim Jeffries.
The current production is directed by Tyrone Phillips. It follows a 2015 production by American Theater Company that starred Jerod Haynes. Critics note that the earlier version carried a heavy sense of melancholy. Phillips' current direction takes a more athletic approach to the material.
The play is structured in six rounds. It uses isolated pools of light to depict boxing matches without requiring realistic fight choreography. AnJi White plays two roles in the cast: Jackson's young sister and a character based on Jim Jeffries. This dual role adds psychological tension to the narrative.
The story centers on the 1910 bout between Johnson and Jeffries. Jeffries had retired from boxing to fight Johnson in what was called "The Fight of the Century." The match was viewed by many as a quest for masculine superiority and a reassertion of white dominance. Jack London referred to Jeffries as "The Great White Hope" in his writings.
Johnson defeated Tommy Burns in Sydney in 1908 to become the first Black heavyweight champion. He was known for his defensive skills. However, his refusal to accept Jim Crow rules and his later relationship with white women fueled white fury in the United States. This anger led to race riots in at least 10 cities, where at least 10 Black Americans were killed.
Ramirez's drama focuses on the impact of these events on the protagonist's psyche. The play highlights the pain inflicted on non-celebrity Black Americans following Johnson's victory. The character Jay Jackson is portrayed as a complex figure dealing with the pressures of his fame and the expectations of his community.
The cast includes Scott Aiello as the promoter and James Vincent Meredith as the cornerman. Ajax Dontavius plays Fish, Jackson's young sparring partner. The production features set design by Lauren M. Nichols and lighting by Jason Lynch. The stage design is stark and minimal.
The play runs for 80 minutes. Tickets are priced between $41 and $106. The venue is located at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe. The production is described as fast-paced and intense. The cast is noted for their physical presence and ability to convey the atmosphere of a boxing environment.
The narrative moves quickly through the lead-up to the 1910 fight. The play uses the structure of boxing rounds to pace the story. The isolation of the fighters in light serves to emphasize the personal stakes of the match. The production relies on the actors' performances to convey the physicality of the sport.
The show ends with the conclusion of the 1910 bout. The fate of the characters is tied to the outcome of that fight. The production uses the historical context of the race riots to ground the personal story of the boxer. The current run at Writers Theatre offers a condensed look at this period in American history.
