I've learned more about boxing from #TCTheater this month that I ever knew before! But of course, like
Illusion Theater's world premiere of Dancing with Giants (closing this weekend),
Yellow Tree Theatre's regional premiere of The Royale is about much more than boxing. While
Dancing with Giants explored pre-WWII international politics through the story of boxers, including African American heavyweight champion Joe Louis,
The Royale takes us back a few decades earlier to explore race relations right here in America through the story of
Jack Johnson, the first ever African American heavyweight champion (that's way more boxing words than I ever thought I'd write). The play is sparse in length (not much more than an hour) and words, and almost feels like a dance musical in its rhythmic dialogue and graceful movement. It's a powerful and dynamic experience that flies by in no time.
