Photo Flash: Inside Opening Night of CTG's THE ROYALE

The world premiere of the powerful, intense new play "The Royale" by Marco Ramirez opened yesterday, May 5 at the CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Directed by Daniel Aukin, "The Royale" delivers a knock-out punch with its vivid depiction of a man fighting for his place in history. "The Royale" continues through June 2, 2013. The cast includes Robert Gossett, Diarra Oni Kilpatrick, David St. Louis, Keith Szarabajkaand DeSean Terry. BroadwayWorld brings you photos from the opening below!

Set and costume design is by Andrew Boyce, with lighting design by Lap Chi Chu, sound design by Ryan Rumery, movement by Ameenah Kaplan and casting by Mark B. Simon. The production stage manager is Randall K. Lum.

In "The Royale," set in the boxing world of the early 1900s, Jay "The Sport" Jackson has talent and confidence and wants what he feels is owed to him: a shot at the championship. Even though blacks were not offered bouts with white boxers, Jay wants to be the first African American crowned undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and he is pushing hard to have that dream realized, no matter the consequences."The Royale" is loosely inspired by the story of Jack Johnson, who was the first African American sports icon, and who reigned as the world heavyweight champion in the early part of the 20thCentury.

Tickets for "The Royale" are available by calling (213) 628-2772, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org, in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.

Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

The lobby

Actor Barry Shabaka Henley

Actor J. August Richards

Michael Barnard and actor Barry Shabaka Henley

Actor Calvin Sykes

Actor Calvin Sykes

Actor J. August Richards

CTG Producing Director Douglas C. Baker poses with CTG donors Joni and Miles Benickes

CTG donor Miles Benickes, CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, Director Daniel Aukin and CTG donor Joni Benickes

Barry Shabaka Henley and cast member Robert Gossett

Barry Shabaka Henley and cast member Robert Gossett

Director Daniel Aukin, Playwright Marco Ramirez and CTG Producing Director Douglas C. Baker

Barry Shabaka Henley, Michael Barnard and actor J. August Richards

Playwright Marco Ramirez and Director Daniel Aukin

Director Daniel Aukin and Playwright Marco Ramirez

CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie and cast member Diarra Oni Kilpatrick

David St. Louis and CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie

Playwright Marco Ramirez and actor J. August Richards

Diarra Oni Kilpatrick and DeSean Terry

David St. Louis and actor J. August Richards

Playwright Marco Ramirez and cast member David St. Louis

Choreographer Ameenah Kaplan and Director Daniel Aukin

Robert Gossett and Keith Szarabajka

David St. Louis and Robert Gossett

David St. Louis and DeSean Terry

Associate Choreographer Christopher Eclipse, Choreographer Ameenah Kaplan and cast member Robert Gossett

David St. Louis and DeSean Terry

Director Daniel Aukin and cast members Diarra Oni Kilpatrick and DeSean Terry

Robert Gossett, David St. Louis and Keith Szarabajka

David St. Louis and Diarra Oni Kilpatrick

David St. Louis and Diarra Oni Kilpatrick

Robert Gossett, David St. Louis, Keith Szarabajka, Choreographer Ameenah Kaplan and cast member DeSean Terry

David St. Louis, DeSean Terry, Robert Gossett and Keith Szarabajka

Kristofer Gordon and J. August Richards

Kristofer Gordon