The fierce and fabulous Tony-nominated Montego Glover (Memphis) joins the cast of Marco Ramirez’s new off-Broadway play, The Royale, which will be bobbing and weaving at Lincoln Center’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Lace up your gloves and make sure your footwork is on point, because we’re stepping into the ring and back into 1905 to fight the racism and injustice of a Black man on his rise to the top.
Told in six rounds, The Royale fictionalizes the experiences of Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight world champion. Khris Davis takes on the character meant to represent Johnson, Jay “The Sport” Johnson, in the story of how one man defeats his opponents, circumstances, and inner demons to rule the boxing world.
Glover is currently starring as Fantine in the revival of Les Miserables. Before joining the barricade, Glover appeared in It Shoulda Been You. But let’s be honest. She sang… and I mean SAAANG, her way into our hearts with “Colored Woman” and “The Music of My Soul” and won a Drama Desk Award for her memorably heartfelt work as Felicia in Memphis. Glover made her Broadway debut in one of our favorite shows, The Color Purple, understudying Celie and Nettie.
Ramirez’s writing has been featured in the hit Netflix original, “Orange Is the New Black,” as well as FX’s “Sons of Anarchy.” Making its world premiere in Los Angeles, The Royale was on stage in San Diego and the U.K. before finally making it to New York. In addition to Glover and Davis, who is making his NYC stage debut, the cast includes McKinley Belcher III (Romeo & Juliet), John Lavelle (The Graduate), and Clarke Peters (King Lear). The set is designed by Nick Vaughan, with costumes by Dede Ayite, lights by Austin R. Smith and sound by Matt Hubbs. The Royale will begin previews February 11, 2016 with an opening night on March 7.
