***** If you are a fan of the art of “boxing”, you will find Writers Theatre’s production of “The Royale”, written by Marco Ramirez, spellbinding from beginning to end. This play is inspired by legendary boxer Jack Johnson and his rise to become the first African-American to become the heavyweight champion of the World. While boxing may not be my favorite sport, this story is one that gets to you and the actual sport is less important than the spirit and desire.

The time, the 1900’s ( in particular 1905) and the set, a bare wooden stage, where a punching bag is dropped several times, and lights drop and rise depending on the mood of the story. The story concentrates on Jay ( played to perfection by La’Tevin Alexander), a Black boxer who travels the country fighting for dollars, hoping against all hope that his manager/promoter, max ( deftly handled by Scott Aiello) will be able to get him the match he truly wants more than anything- against the World Champion ( a white man).

The story begins with us meeting the boxer and a challenger, Fish (Ajax Dontavius), as they do a match for us, directed, or should I say, choreographed by Tyrone Phillips (with some movement direction by Rasell Holt). With hand clapping, and foot stomping, a bell being rung, and sounds of grunts, we watch several rounds of one of these fights, and although we know they are not even making contact, it feels as real as if they were punching it out for several rounds of battle. The other character on the stage is Wynton (played by the always-reliable James Vincent Meredith), who one can tell was a fighter at one time and still has some memories of those times.

There comes a point where Max is able to arrange for the fight that Jay wants more than anything, but in order to do this, on a national basis, he has to give up 90% of the proceeds, allowing for 10% to be shared with his manager and staff. This, of course, will be the fight of his life, and the culmination of what he has been working so hard to achieve.

This is a 90 minute play ( no intermission) and there are some highlights that you might want to know about. Max  does the press conference where it is announced that, for the first time, a champion boxer is going to take on an African-American boxer. This particular scene is well done and inspirational. Before the actual fight takes place, Jay’s sister, Nina ( a truly remarkable performance by AnJi White) who has a tense scene with her brother regarding her fears that if he does win, will her children suffer at the hands of those who do not want their champion dethroned by a Black man.There have also been threats to Jay as they found several men with guns coming to the fight. Could there be more?

The final scene is remarkable, and as I am not one to spoil a special moment, I will only tell you that the big fight is a sparring match where the past and the present are in battle for the win, and as directed by Phillips, you will find yourself spellbound for the entire bout and will breathe a sigh at the rining of the bell. You will also learn more about what “The Royale” means to the boxers, in particular Wynton. Even if you do not like the sport of boxing, I can assure you that this play will change your attitude. It should be on you MUST SEE list for this season.

On the tech side, the sound (Stephanie Farina), lighting ( Jason Lynch), costumes ( Gregory Graham), and the crew led by stage manager Imani M. Ross kept the flow perfectly.

“The Royale” will continue Thru – Nov 29th with performances as follows: