Man in the Ring | Huntington Theatre Company

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"STELLAR! PACKS A PUNCH!” — The Boston Globe

"Simply a masterpiece. THE BEST PRODUCTION ONSTAGE NOW!” — Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce's Choices

"Perfectly cast. Packs an emotional wallop!” — TheaterMania

"PACKS A POTENT PUNCH! An artfully concocted journey.” — WBUR's The ARTery

"A KNOCKOUT! Bold, daring performances. An immersive experience that should NOT BE MISSED!” — Broadway World

"THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE THEATRICAL SEASON!” — South Shore Critic

Man in the Ring is the captivating and complex true story of six-time world champion prizefighter Emile Griffith and the fight that would haunt him forever. Imbued with the warmth of Griffith’s character and the joyful music of his childhood home, Man in the Ring chronicles his life story, from his humble beginnings in the Virgin Islands to his passionate love affairs and the tragedy that changed his life. Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Michael Cristofer’s epic new play, directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen), packs a powerful punch with its message of love and redemption.

Seating at select performances of Man in the Ring is limited, but seats are released every day for sale. Please call Ticketing Services at 617 266 0800 to learn about our Advanced Wait List and be upgraded to a seat automatically when it becomes available.

Approximate run time: Man in the Ring plays in approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, including one 10-minute intermission. Please note: Man in the Ring includes adult themes and brief nudity. This production has strobe lighting effects that include intensely bright flashes of light (which simulate flashbulb photography), as well as the smoking of cocoa shell cigarettes (100% nicotine free).

“I am happy to return to the Huntington as a playwright this time, bringing them the true story of Emile Griffith – a young immigrant from the Virgin Islands, a gay man struggling with his identity in the brutal world of sports, trying at the end of his life as he slips into dementia to piece together the story of love and pain and joy that was his life. And to find peace. A true hero in my book.” — Michael Cristofer

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Photos

Man in the Ring Meet & Greet

Join us for the first day of rehearsal for Man in the Ring, one man's fight for love and redemption.

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Man in the Ring Rehearsal Photos

Join us in the rehearsal hall for Man in the Ring, a powerful new play about one man's fight for love and redemption.

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Articles

Characters with Contradiction: An Interview with Playwright Michael Cristofer

Playwright Michael Cristofer’s work spans from stage to screen as a writer, director, and actor. As rehearsals began on this production of Man in the Ring, he spoke with Director of New Work Charles Haugland about the discoveries he made in bringing Emile Griffith’s story to the stage.

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Music in the Ring: An Interview with Michael McElroy

Music Director Michael McElroy’s work spans from stage to screen as a music director, music arranger, singer, and actor. As rehearsals began on this production of Man in the Ring, he sat down with Literary Associate J. Sebastián Alberdi to talk about the work that went into turning children’s songs into emotionally and theatrically rich moments.

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Ringside View: Michael Cristofer Finds Soul-Stirring Echoes in Emile Griffith's Life

When playwright Michael Cristofer’s Man in the Ring begins, the character of Emile Griffith sits onstage, softly singing a Caribbean children’s rhyme to himself: “Brown boy in the ring, tra la la la la.” Once one of the world’s great boxers, Griffith is now 70; years of hits and knockouts have affected his brain.

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Michael Greif: Broadway Legend & Champion of New Work

Four-time Tony Award-nominated director and longtime champion of new works, Michael Greif will make his Huntington debut this fall directing Michael Cristofer’s new play Man in the Ring.

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"He Look Like A Sugar in a Plum" A Life in Pictures

“ I came to this country in the 1950s from the Caribbean. I never intended to hurt no one but things happen.”– EMILE GRIFFITH

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Man in the Ring Program

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Press Reviews

"STELLAR! PACKS A PUNCH! Directed with inventive muscularity by Michael Greif (Rent, Dear Evan Hansen).” — The Boston Globe

"Simply a masterpiece. THE BEST PRODUCTION ONSTAGE NOW!” — Joyce Kulhawik, Joyce's Choices

"A moving and tender story about holding and finding your own when the world has boxed you in.” — Jared Bowen, WGBH

"Thompson delivers a stunning performance. Perfectly cast. Packs an emotional wallop!” — TheaterMania

"PACKS A POTENT PUNCH! An artfully concocted journey. I would follow John Douglas Thompson anywhere.” — WBUR's The ARTery

"A KNOCKOUT! Bold, daring performances. An immersive experience that should NOT BE MISSED!” — Broadway World

"THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE THEATRICAL SEASON! Gripping, powerful, unforgettably moving.” — South Shore Critic

"PERFECT! Superbly rich, emotionally engaging. An outstanding cast of stellar performers.” — Boston and Beyond

"Amazing theatre. Very powerful. You do not want to miss this!” — Boxing Over Broadway

"A first-rate production! The acting is superb.” — EDGE Media Network

"Moving, powerful, handsomely presented and skillfully acted and directed.” — On Boston Stages

"One of the highlights of the theatrical season! Fascinating!” — Critics at Large

"A knockout! Fierce, poetic, and profound. Ready for Broadway!” — Chicago Sun-Times

"An exceptionally artful piece of theatre. This is not a show to miss!” — Chicago Tribune

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Artists

Michael Cristofer Playwright Michael Cristofer Playwright
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Michael Cristofer

Playwright

Michael Cristofer is the playwright of Man in the Ring. Mr. Cristofer won the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for his 1977 play The Shadow Box.
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Michael Greif Director Michael Greif Director
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Michael Greif

Director

Michael Greif directed Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington. Mr. Greif received a Helen Hayes Award and a Tony Award nomination for his direction of Dear Evan Hansen at Arena Stage and on Broadway.
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Victor Almanzar Luis Victor Almanzar Luis
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Victor Almanzar

Luis

Victor Almanzar appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Starla Benford Emelda Starla Benford Emelda
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Starla Benford

Emelda

Starla Benford appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Austin Birdy Percussionist Austin Birdy Percussionist
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Austin Birdy

Percussionist

Austin Birdy was the percussionist for Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Krystal Joy Brown Sadie Krystal Joy Brown Sadie
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Krystal Joy Brown

Sadie

Krystal Joy Brown appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Gordon Clapp Howie Albert Gordon Clapp Howie Albert
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Gordon Clapp

Howie Albert

Gordon Clapp appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) and The Snowball (1991) at the Huntington.
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Richard Gatta Ensemble, Dance Captain Richard Gatta Ensemble, Dance Captain
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Richard Gatta

Ensemble, Dance Captain

Richard Gatta appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Dave Heard Ensemble Dave Heard Ensemble
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Dave Heard

Ensemble

Dave Heard appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Sean Boyce Johnson Benny "The Kid" Paret Sean Boyce Johnson Benny "The Kid" Paret
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Sean Boyce Johnson

Benny "The Kid" Paret

Sean Boyce Johnson appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Max Kennedy Guitarist Max Kennedy Guitarist
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Max Kennedy

Guitarist

Max Kennedy was the guitarist for Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Carla Martinez Lucia Paret Carla Martinez Lucia Paret
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Carla Martinez

Lucia Paret

Carla Martinez appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) and Merrily We Roll Along (2017) at the Huntington.
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Eliseo Román Manuel Alfaro Eliseo Román Manuel Alfaro
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Eliseo Román

Manuel Alfaro

Eliseo Román appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Kyle Vincent Terry Young Emile Kyle Vincent Terry Young Emile
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Kyle Vincent Terry

Young Emile

Kyle Vincent Terry appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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John Douglas Thompson Emile Griffith John Douglas Thompson Emile Griffith
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John Douglas Thompson

Emile Griffith

John Douglas Thompson appeared in Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Michael Underhill Ensemble Michael Underhill Ensemble
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Michael Underhill

Ensemble

Michael Underhill (he/him) The Huntington: 3 Miles (Dream Boston audio play), Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (2019), Man in the Ring (2018).
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David Zinn Scenic Design David Zinn Scenic Design
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David Zinn

Scenic Design

David Zinn designed Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Emilio Sosa Costume Design Emilio Sosa Costume Design
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Emilio Sosa

Costume Design

Emilio Sosa designed the costumes for Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Ben Stanton Lighting Design Ben Stanton Lighting Design
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Ben Stanton

Lighting Design

Ben Stanton designed Man in the Ring (2018), The Atheist (2007), Persephone (2007) and Love's Labour's Lost (2006) at the Huntington.
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Matt Tierney Sound Designer Matt Tierney Sound Designer
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Matt Tierney

Sound Designer

Matt Tierney designed Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully Projection Design Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully Projection Design
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Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully

Projection Design

Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully were the projection design team for Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Michael McElroy Music Direction, Arrangements & Incidental Music Michael McElroy Music Direction, Arrangements & Incidental Music
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Michael McElroy

Music Direction, Arrangements & Incidental Music

Michael McElroy arranged and composed the music for Man in the Ring (2018) at the Huntington.
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Sordelet INC Fight Direction Sordelet INC Fight Direction
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Sordelet INC

Fight Direction

Sordelet INC oversaw fight direction for Romeo and Juliet (2019), Man in the Ring (2018), Disgraced (2016), Mauritius (2006), and Dead End (2000) at the Huntington.
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J. Jared Janas Wig, Hair, & Makeup Design J. Jared Janas Wig, Hair, & Makeup Design
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J. Jared Janas

Wig, Hair, & Makeup Design

J. Jared Janas, (Wig, Hair, and Makeup Designer) Huntington: Man in the Ring, Indecent . Broadway: Jagged Little Pill, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune, Gettin' the Band Back Together, Bandstand, Indecent, Sunset Boulevard, The Visit, The Real Thing, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, Motown, Peter and the Starcatcher, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, All about Me, Next to Normal.
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Deborah Hecht Dialect Coach Deborah Hecht Dialect Coach
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Deborah Hecht

Dialect Coach

Deborah Hecht is a dialect couch with Broadway credits in over 80 productions including Angels in America, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Little Foxes, and Cabaret.
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Caparelliotis Casting Casting Caparelliotis Casting Casting
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Caparelliotis Casting

Casting

Caparelliotis Casting has Broadway credits that include the upcoming King Lear; The Waverly Gallery; The Nap; Three Tall Women; Boys in the Band; Saint Joan; Meteor Shower; Junk; A Doll’s House, Part 2; The Little Foxes; The Glass Menagerie; Jitney; The Front Page; Les Liaisons Dangereuses; Blackbird; An Act of God; Fish in the Dark; It’s Only a Play; Disgraced; Casa Valentina; Holler If Ya Hear Me; The Trip to Bountiful; and Fences.
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Emily F. McMullen Production Stage Manager Emily F. McMullen Production Stage Manager
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Emily F. McMullen

Production Stage Manager

Emily F. McMullen, she/her (Production Stage Manager) has stage managed over 30 shows over the past eight seasons at the Huntington, including Hurricane Diane, Sweat; Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead; Indecent; Romeo and Juliet; A Doll’s House, Part 2; Man in the Ring; The Niceties; Top Girls; Bad Dates; Tartuffe; and Merrily We Roll Along.

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Jeremiah Mullane Stage Manager Jeremiah Mullane Stage Manager
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Jeremiah Mullane

Stage Manager

Jeremiah Mullane has stage managed Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead(2019), Yerma (2019), A Doll's House, Part 2 (2018); Man in the Ring (2018); Fall (2018); Bad Dates (2018); A Guide for the Homesick (2017); The Who & the What (2017); A Doll's House (2017); Tiger Style! (2016); August Wilson's How I Learned What I Learned (2016); Disgraced (2016); Choice (2015); The Second Girl (2015); Awake and Sing! (2014); Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (2014); The Seagull (2014); The Cocktail Hour (2013); The Jungle Book (2013); and Invisible Man (2013) at the Huntington.
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Prices & Seating

	Section
Performance Day	Zone 1	Zone 2	Zone 3
PEAK: Friday & Saturday evening; Sunday matinee	$89-$119	$59-$89	$25
OFF PEAK: Sunday - Thursday evening; Saturday matinee	$79-$109	$49-$79	$25
FIRST LOOK: First Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Tuesday evening; Wednesday matinee	$69-$84	$45-$54	$25

PEAK: Friday & Saturday evening;
Sunday matinee

Section

Price

Zone 1

$89-$119

Zone 2

$59-$89

Zone 3

$25

OFF PEAK: Sunday - Thursday evening;
Saturday matinee

Section

Price

Zone 1

$79-$109

Zone 2

$49-$79

Zone 3

$25

FIRST LOOK: First Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Tuesday evening; Wednesday matinee

Section

Price

Zone 1

$69-$84

Zone 2

$45-$54

Zone 3

$25

	Prices
Active Military and Veterans and Immediate Families	$20 with promo code MILITARY
Student (25 years and younger) (No AA or Zone 1)	$20
Section D / Zone 4 (Huntington Avenue Theatre); Last Row (Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA) Additional discounts may not be applied to section D or Zone 4 seats at the Huntington Avenue Theatre and last row seats at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.	$25
35 Below (35 years and younger) (No AA or Zone 1) Learn more about our 35 Below program	$30

Learn more about our Discount Ticket Programs

	Prices
Active Military and Veterans and Immediate Families	$20 with promo code MILITARY
Student (25 years and younger) (No AA or Zone 1)	$20
Section D / Zone 4 (Huntington Avenue Theatre); Last Row (Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA) Additional discounts may not be applied to section D or Zone 4 seats at the Huntington Avenue Theatre and last row seats at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.	$25
35 Below (35 years and younger) (No AA or Zone 1) Learn more about our 35 Below program	$30

Learn more about our Discount Ticket Programs

Video

Photos

Articles

Press Reviews

Artists

Michael Cristofer

Playwright

Michael Greif

Director

Victor Almanzar

Luis

Starla Benford

Emelda

Austin Birdy

Percussionist

Krystal Joy Brown

Sadie

Gordon Clapp

Howie Albert

Richard Gatta

Ensemble, Dance Captain

Dave Heard

Ensemble

Sean Boyce Johnson

Benny "The Kid" Paret

Max Kennedy

Guitarist

Carla Martinez

Lucia Paret

Eliseo Román

Manuel Alfaro

Kyle Vincent Terry

Young Emile

John Douglas Thompson

Emile Griffith

Michael Underhill

Ensemble

David Zinn

Scenic Design

Emilio Sosa

Costume Design

Ben Stanton

Lighting Design

Matt Tierney

Sound Designer

Peter Nigrini and Dan Scully

Projection Design

Michael McElroy

Music Direction, Arrangements & Incidental Music

Sordelet INC

Fight Direction

J. Jared Janas

Wig, Hair, & Makeup Design

Deborah Hecht

Dialect Coach

Caparelliotis Casting

Casting

Emily F. McMullen

Production Stage Manager

Jeremiah Mullane

Stage Manager

Prices & Seating

Upcoming Events

2018-2019 Season