Clash of the Titans

The Royale

It’s 1905 and the height of the Jim Crow era in America. Following the Civil War, these bigoted laws forbade Negroes from enjoying the same restaurants, hotels, restrooms and even drinking fountains as their White neighbors. Many of the African-Americans living and working in the North had been part of the Great Migration from the deep South. They were all seeking somewhere to achieve their own version of the American Dream. 

In Marco Ramirez’s play, THE ROYALE, we meet Jay Jackson, a most confident and athletically talented African-American boxer who has fought to become the Negro Heavyweight Champion, in the racially segregated sport. But Jay has one more dream to achieve. As prize-winning pugilist who thrives on attention and publicity, Jackson wants to challenge Bixby, the retired Caucasian Heavyweight Champ, and prove to the world his superiority over the White fighter. The controversial event between the races would be labeled The Clash of the Titans.

Directed with finesse, grit and gravitas by Chicago director, Tyrone Phillips (the founding artistic director of Definition Theatre), and structured in six rounds, this powerful production at Writers Theatre is performed with the precision and rhythms of the boxing ring. Movement director Rasell Holt has choreographed his actors to jab, punch and move to the beat of the sport of sparring. Working together, Phillips and Holt create a unique poetic realism to the story with the actors clapping, slapping, stomping and grunting, yet never actually making physical contact with each other. The intense drama of this one-act unfolds within and around Lauren M. Nichols’ sparsely embellished boxing ring. And the audio and visuals are further enhanced by Jason Lynch’s lighting design and carefully selected sound, designed by Stephanie Farina.

Portraying Jay “The Sport” Jackson is the magnificent La’Tevin Alexander, making his Writers Theatre debut. This talented, physically robust actor absolutely inhabits his character. Mr. Alexander not only looks the part but he fills the Writers stage with his character’s larger-than-life personality and athletic prowess. Looking to leave his mark in the annals of sports history, Jackson raises a question as to his true motivation. Aware the the social and racial barriers that would be broken by the boxing match, we fear that his personal ambition and glory will endanger his life and the lives of other African-Americans. 

Mr. Alexander is ably supported by four other top-notch professional actors. James Vincent Meredith (OTHELLO, Writers; THE BOOK OF MORMON, Broadway) is terrific as Wynton, a veteran boxer and Jay’s trainer and father figure. James creates an older, wiser gentleman who has suffered the indignities of racial prejudice and intolerance. Mr. Meredith’s character provides the heart and soul of this play, always attempting to support Jay and keep him grounded in the reality of the times. A respected and popular Chicago theatre veteran, Scott Aiello (AS YOU LIKE IT, Writers; MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, Goodman) is excellent as Max, Jackson’s fast-talking, all-business White fight promoter. He also serves as the referee for Jay Jackson’s boxing matches. But despite Max’s devotion to his athletic star, Aiello is primarily focused on the financial benefits of the proposed Clash of the Titans or, as he calls it, the “Fight of the Century.”

Ajax Dontavius (BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY, Remy Bumppo; LAST NIGHT AND THE NIGHT BEFORE, Steppenwolf) is especially strong and likable as Fish, a talented young Black fighter from the South who challenges Jay Jackson at the start of the play. “The Sport” easily vanquishes his eager, new opponent, but the young man’s talent is recognized. Fish is offered a job as Jay’s sparring partner and friend, which Mr. Dontavius plays with precision and passion. And Anji White (Jeff Award-winner for EAST TEXAS HOT LINKS, Court Theatre; SUNSET BABY, TimeLine Theatre) is beautiful and a real powerhouse as Nina, Jay’s outspoken older sister. She arrives just before her brother’s foolhardy fight with Bixby, warning him of the dangerous repercussions and violence that this boxing match may evoke. Ms. White’s Nina is both the voice of caution and reason, providing her brother with some much-needed food for thought. 

Based upon the life of American boxer John Arthur Johnson, nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” Marco Ramirez’s THE ROYALE tells the story of fictional prizefighter, Jay Jackson. His play focuses on the fight of Jackson’s life as he not only challenges the retired White Heavyweight Champion, but also the racism that smoldered and sadly divided this country in the early 1900’s. In Tyrone Phillips’ exceptional production, enhanced by superb technical support, including Gregory Graham’s period perfect costumes, and performed by an incredibly gifted cast, Writers Theatre continues their 35th Anniversary Season with a nail-biting Clash of the Titans.      

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented October 22-November 29 by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Michael Brosilow