TheatreSquared continues Grand Opening Season with award-winning new drama
The Royale – inspired by the true story of Jack Johnson – now on stage and continuing through February 16, 2020
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS—January 27, 2020—TheatreSquared’s season continues with the New York Times Critics’ Pick, The Royale by Marco Ramirez (Orange Is the New Black, Sons of Anarchy). This tightly constructed, visceral drama is inspired by the real-world boxer Jack Johnson who – as a black man at the height of the Jim Crow era – became the heavyweight champion of the world. Told in a boxing ring over six rounds, The Royale is an electrifying adrenaline rush that shows the human cost of making history.
“The Royale is unlike anything you’ve ever seen on stage, said Robert Ford, Artistic Director. “‘The Sport’ is ready to take on any contender who steps into the ring — but the bigger fight is outside of it. It was the match of the century in 1905, and it resonates just as powerfully today.”
Productions in New York, London, Chicago, and Los Angeles drew critical acclaim. The Los Angeles Times said The Royale’s “lively manner of telling reanimates this breakthrough saga for a new generation.” Variety described it as “a gripping, vivid coup de theatre.”
The Royale plays through February 16 at TheatreSquared in Fayetteville. For tickets and information the public can call 479-777-7477 or visit theatre2.org. Tickets are now on sale from $17-$49 at 479-777-7477 or theatre2.org.
Cast & Creative Team
The cast & creative team for The Royale is led by director Dexter J. Singleton, executive artistic director of Collective Consciousness Theatre in New Haven, CT. He returns to T2 after directing Among the Western Dinka in the 2018 Arkansas New Play Festival. He has also staged work at Flea Theatre (NYC), Long Wharf Theatre, Passage Theatre and many others. He was recently recognized with a Distinguished Director of a Play award by The Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival for his work on Black Book, by Austin Ashford, which began its development at T2’s Arkansas New Play Festival.
The cast of The Royale features Shon Middlebrooks as Jay “The Sport” Jackson, with Troy Wallace as his young sparring partner Fish. T2 alum Charles Jackson plays his faithful coach Wynton with Vincent Teninty (Detroit) as his promoter and resident “hype man” Max. Na'Tosha De'Von plays Jay’s sister, Nina.
The creative team for The Royale includes Kim Powers, scenic design; Ruby Kemph, costume design; John D. Alexander, lighting design, and Tommy Rosati, sound design.
Performance Schedule
Performances are scheduled January 22-February 16, Tuesdays through Sundays, at the new TheatreSquared, located at 477 West Spring Street in downtown Fayetteville.
Tuesday–Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 2:00 p.m.; 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 2:00 p.m.
Ticket Info
Single tickets range from $17-$49. Tickets are available at 479-777-7477 or online at theatre2.org.
Through T2’s Lights Up! For Access program, supported by the Walmart Foundation, SNAP benefit recipients can purchase $5 tickets, while students and patrons under the age of 30 can purchase $10 tickets. For more information, visit theatre2.org/lights-up. Fully subsidized, free tickets are also available for clients of a number of local community service organizations.
About TheatreSquared
TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas’s professional regional theatre, offering an intimate live theatre experience for 65,000 patrons each year in its intimate performance spaces and in schools throughout the state. The company was recognized by the American Theatre Wing, founder of the Tony Awards, as one of the nation’s ten most promising emerging theatres. TheatreSquared has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its audience fifteenfold and growing to a $4.5 million annual budget in just over a decade's time. The company is also Arkansas’s home for professional playwrights, developing scripts through the Arkansas New Play Festival and producing new works and world premieres each year. TheatreSquared’s work is rooted in its founding vision, that “theatre—done well and with passion—can transform lives and communities.”
For further information or press tickets, contact TheatreSquared at 479-445-6333 or visit theatre2.org.
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The Royale is made possible in part by lead show sponsors George & Rosemary Faucette, as well as show sponsor Sandy Edwards.
Major funding for the TheatreSquared Season 14 is provided by The Walton Family Foundation, Inc.; the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art; the Walker Charitable Foundation; the Walmart Foundation; and by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Marketing support for TheatreSquared Season 14 is provided by Experience Fayetteville, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Fayetteville Flyer, CitiScapes, KUAF, MailCo USA and Univision.