Cast announced for the Lincoln Center's The Royale

Casting has been announced for the Lincoln Center's upcoming production of The Royale, a new play by Marco Ramirez, directed by Rachel Chavkin, which begins performances on 11 February 2016 at the Mitzi E. Newhouse with an official opening on 7 March 2016.

The cast will include McKinley Belcher III, Khris Davis, Montego Glover, John Lavelle, and Clarke Peters.

Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Jack Johnson, the first African-American heavyweight world champion, the drama tells, in six rounds, the fictional story of Jay "The Sport" Johnson, a charismatic Negro Heavyweight Champion. It's 1905 and as Johnson faces his opponents - and confronts his demons - he exposes the troublesome events in his life that have propelled him into the ring with a burning desire to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The Royale will have sets by Nick Vaughan, costumes by Dede Ayite, lights by Austin R. Smith, and sound by Matt Hubbs.

Marco Ramirez's credits include "Sons of Anarchy" (FX), "Orange is the New Black" (Netflix), "Fear The Walking Dead" (AMC), and Marvel's "Daredevil" (Netflix).

- by Dom O'Hanlon