Photo Flash: In Rehearsal for THE ROYALE at Burning Coal Theatre Company

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Marco Ramirez's The Royale, a drama based on the life of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. The play will run April 6 - 8, 13 - 15, 20 - 22 at 7:30 PM, and April 9, 16, and 23 at 2:00 PM. in Burning Coal Theatre's Murphey School Auditorium (located at 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, NC 27604). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Marco Ramirez's The Royale is an explosive new play which celebrates the athletic and cultural legacy left by one of the greatest boxers of all time. Set in the early 1900s, The Royale presents a slightly fictionalized account of the life of the first African-American Heavyweight Boxing Champion: Jack Johnson. As much a play about family as it is about boxing, The Royale explores the tensions between family, responsibility, vulnerability, destiny, and greatness. This electrifying new play will knock you for a loop!

Playing Jay Jackson will be Preston Campbell, playing Fish will be Sheldon Mba, playing Nina will be Danielle J. Long, playing Wynton will be Phillip Bernard Smith, and playing Max will be Alex DeVirgilis. All are North Carolina-based actors. Fayetteville State University's Avis Hatcher Puzzo will direct the production. Scenery will be by Trevor Carrier of Atlanta, GA. Lighting will by Chris Popowich of Pittsburgh, PA. Costumes will be by Cassidy Nolde, props will be by Elizabeth Newton and Sound will be by Areon Mobasher - all Raleigh-based artists, Technical Direction will be led by Barry Jaked.

Tickets are $25 regular admission, $20 for Seniors (65+), $15 for students, teachers, and active military. The first Sunday, April 9th, is Pay What You Can Day, and will also feature audio description provided by Arts Access. All Thursday performances are $15 general admission. Tickets and further information can be found at burningcoal.org or by calling 919-834-4001.