'The Royale'
The punches are indirect in this boxing-themed one-act by Marco Ramirez ("Orange Is the New Black," "Sons of Anarchy"). Ramirez's drama gets its regional premiere under director Austene Van. The story is inspired by Jack Johnson, who became the first black heavyweight champion in Jim Crow-era America. New York-based actor David Murray Jr., who impressed Twin Cities audiences as the prince in Children's Theatre's "Cinderella" and as a black father in "Ragtime," dons the gloves to lead a cast rounded out by James Craven, Santino Craven, Tamala Lacy and Charles Fraser. (7:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat., 2 p.m. Sun. Ends March 4. Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 5th Av. SE., Osseo. $23-$27. 763-493-8733 or yellowtree.com.)
ROHAN PRESTON
