5 minute read
The Royale
by Marco Ramirez Directed by Kyle Haden
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BOXING: A BRIEF HISTORY
With visual evidence dating back to ancient Mesopotamia, boxing has been around for thousands of years. It first appeared as a formal Olympic event in Ancient Greece c. 688 BCE. Romans took the sport even further into gladiatorial arenas, typically ending with the death of the losing boxer. As Christianity rose in popularity along with the decline of the Roman Empire, boxing as entertainment fell by the wayside for many centuries. Though illegal at the time, bare-knuckle boxing (without gloves) reemerged in Britain in the 1680s and grew in popularity though the mid1700s. It is supposed that more formal rules were enacted by fighter Jack Broughton after the one of his opponents succumbed to fight-related injuries. Broughton was known as the “Father of Boxing,” employing gloves to protect both fighter and opponent. Ironically, instances of brain injury went up after the addition of gloves because boxers were more likely to aim for the head, rather than aiming for softer places thus protecting their bare hands. Boxing began to gain respectability when it rose in popularity among members of English Aristocracy. Boxing athletes were seen as ideals of manliness and honor. In 1804 at age 36, Bill Richmond fought in his first professional fight and became the first African American sports celebrity. Born into enslavement in New York, Richmond spent most of his life in England. He spectacularly won fights into his 50s due to his unique boxing style and strategy. Both Richmond and later his protégé, American Tom Molineaux, helped bring the popularity of professional fighting from Britain to America. The early 20th century saw a rise in American-dominated world boxing champions, and its popularity shows no signs of stopping.
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson
The Royale is based on the life of Jack Johnson, who became the first Black heavyweight champion in 1908 after defeating Australian Tommy Burns. But it was Johnson’s win against former heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries that sealed his legacy as a boxing superstar.
Burns vs Johnson in 1908
Jack Dempsey
A Creede Contender
Jack Dempsey aka “The Manassa Mauler” became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1919. Dempsey was born in Manassa, CO, just south of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley, and grew up in Lower Creede (Jimtown) around the turn of the century.
“Society was in trouble, and Jack was just being himself.” - James Earl Jones, on Jack Johnson
Sports have been integral to my view of the world. Growing up in Pittsburgh, you don’t Kyle Haden really have a choice. The Pirates and Penguins and Steelers (especially the Steelers!) are so ingrained in the fabric of our lives. We live and die with each play. And these games aren’t just entertainment for us. They teach us valuable lessons about who we are as people, and how we should live our lives. We’re taught from an early age that the field, or the rink, or the ring, are one of the few places in our country where true meritocracy exists. Here, it doesn’t matter where you were born, or how much money your parents had, or what color your skin was: all that matters is how you perform between the lines, or inside the ropes. Your performance proves your worth as a human being. And triumph on the field leads to fame, fortune, and immortality off of it.
In reality, I’m not sure that that’s true. I mean, maybe the shifts in our society over the years have brought us closer to that ideal today than ever before, I don’t know. But it certainly wasn’t true for Black athletes over a century ago. I know it wasn’t true for Jack Johnson.
Jack Johnson was GREAT. I’ve heard him referred to as a cross between Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali. In some ways I wonder if Babe Ruth isn’t a better comparison. Like the Babe, it feels like he could fit in with today’s athletes. He had charisma and style and flair. He talked trash with the best of them. And he could back it up with his performance! Jack Johnson was an American original and deserves to be celebrated with our greatest legends of sport. Is it his fault that society wasn’t ready for his greatness, or didn’t know what to do with his brashness, his Blackness?
Marco Ramirez’s play about Jay “The Sport” Jackson gives us a peek at what obstacles Jack Johnson faced on his way to becoming the heavyweight championship of the world, and how he might have dealt with them. As we’ve worked on this piece, the most fascinating thing for me is pulling back the curtain on a great athlete and letting us see him as a full human being, both flawed and fantastic. In this age of social media and cynicism it’s easy to make snap judgements, and difficult to get your arms around how complicated and contradictory human beings can be. But I think it’s what Jack Johnson would have wanted. “Just remember, whatever you write about me,” he said towards the end of his life, “that I was a man.”
We remember, Jack. We see your humanity. We celebrate your greatness. And we’re excited to tell your story.
One 15-Minute Intermission
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Kyle Haden Scenic Design Lindsay Fuori** Costume Design Alethia Moore-Del Monaco Lighting Design Bryan Ealey Sound Design Max Silverman Wig Design Diana Ben Kiki Fight Director Chris Van Winkle Dialect Coach Rebecca Bossen Dramaturg Ellen Valencia EDI Deputy Alyssa Peters
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Stage Manager Wilhelm Peters* Asst. Stage Manager Miranda Ray Asst. Stage Manager Olivia Zapater-Charrette
CAST
Jay Wynton Nina Fish
Tony King Lavour Addison* Teonna Wesley* Cameron Davis Max Stuart Rider* Understudies Alyssa Peters Chris Van Winkle
The Royale is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Center Theater Group/ Kirk Douglas Theatre, Michael Ritchie, Artistic Director produced the World Premiere of The Royale in Los Angeles, CA in 2013.
Originally Produced by Lincoln Center Theater, in 2016, New York City.
Content Information: This play contains strong language and mature content, including descriptions of self-harm, racism, and racial violence.
** Terrence and Polly Jones Scenic Designer
BOXING: The art of attack and defense with the fists practiced as a sport. (Merriam-Webster)
