Arts & Entertainment
Knockout theater
Creatively staged Studio production packs a wallop
‘Sucker Punch’
Through April 8
Studio Theatre
1501 14th Street, NW
$35-$60
202-332-3300
“Sucker Punch,” a British import now making its U.S. premier at Studio Theatre, is the story of two up-and-coming boxers, who despite racism and assorted other adversity, fight their way to the top only to discover success isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And while playwright Roy Williams’ surfacey script covers varied aspects of the young athletes’ lives, the production’s best scenes, by far, take place in the ring.
Sheldon Best, left, and Emmanuel Brown in ‘Sucker Punch.’ (Photo by Scott Suchman; courtesy Studio)
On the streets of 1980s London, racial tensions run high and riots are breaking out. In a rundown boxing gym, two friends are scrapping over who’s going to clean what. It seems black teens Leon and Troy (excitingly portrayed by charismatic Sheldon Best and Emmanuel Brown respectively) were caught breaking into the gym and rather than have them arrested, its owner Charlie Maggs (Sean Gormley) has opted to let them pay their debt by mopping floors and scrubbing dirty toilets. In time, Charlie, who’s also a trainer, cannot help but notice the pair’s raw potential and offers them the opportunity to train.
Leon is a natural. He’s graceful in the ring. His footwork is fast. Soon he begins to win fights. He’s also affable and keeps peace at the gym. Though also talented, Troy is more difficult, angrier. He (understandably) butts heads with the gym’s resident racist white boxer Tommy (Lucas Beck) and can’t get along with Charlie. Eventually Troy bolts and embarks on a boxing career in the states.
For reasons not clearly explained, Leon remains excessively loyal to his third-rate, casually racist trainer. And while he is lionhearted in the ring, elsewhere Leon proves less confident. Problems arise: His street cred is questioned, black sports fans call him a sellout, his slimy father Squid (Michael Rogers) takes advantage and his strained romantic relationship with Charlie’s daughter Becky (Dana Levanovsky) fizzles. But still, Leon does his best to stay focused and keep his eye on the prize. More than once, he says he knows himself and that’s what counts.
Set designer Dan Conway has faithfully recreated a grimy gym with one exception: the ring is a sunken square without ropes. And it’s within that ring where the show comes alive. Center stage and spot lit, Leon relays his ascent from popular amateur to Olympic medalist to welterweight champion. Director Leah C. Gardiner and a first rate design team summon the boxing experience. Alone on stage, Leon lands devastating blows, takes hits and responds to cheers and jeers from the crowd.
Both Best and Brown spent weeks physically training for their roles at a boxing gym in New York City and it shows: They’re both in amazing shape and convincingly move like real boxers. Best’s performance, in particular, is an intense workout. He’s on stage throughout most of the show (100 minutes without intermission) and for much of that time he’s skipping rope, shadow boxing, doing crunches or passing a medicine ball.
In the end, Leon and Troy are reunited as opponents in a high stakes title bout. The gym’s dirty walls are replaced by murky mirrors, effectively transforming the space into an arena. In a dramatic slugfest (thrillingly choreographed by Rick Sordelet), the onetime best friends settle old scores and seek resolution. And it all happens in the ring.
Friday, May 23
“Center Aging Monthly Luncheon and Yoga” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. For more details, email [email protected].
Trans Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide an emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity and/or expression. For more details, email [email protected].
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at DIK Bar. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Saturday, May 24
Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including Allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.
Black Lesbian Mixer will be at 11 a.m. on Zoom. This is a support group dedicated to the joys of being a Black lesbian. For more details, email [email protected].
Sunday, May 25
“The Queen’s Table: A Women’s Empowerment Brunch” will be at 11 a.m. at Zooz. This event will celebrate queer women’s strength. For more details visit Eventbrite.
Monday, May 26
“Center Aging Monday Coffee and Conversation” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more details, email [email protected].
Tuesday, May 27
Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary. Whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know you’re not 100 percent cis — this is your group. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.
Coming Out Discussion Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This support group is a safe space to share experiences about coming out and discuss topics as it relates to doing so. For more details, visit the group’s Facebook.
Wednesday, May 28
Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.
Thursday, May 29
The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. To be fairer with who is receiving boxes, the program is moving to a lottery system. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.
Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breathwork, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.
Photos
PHOTOS: Helen Hayes Awards
Gay Men’s Chorus, local drag artists have featured performance at ceremony
The 41st Helen Hayes Awards were held at The Anthem on Monday, May 19. Felicia Curry and Mike Millan served as the hosts.
A performance featuring members of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington and local drag artists was held at the end of the first act of the program to celebrate WorldPride 2025.
The annual awards ceremony honors achievement in D.C.-area theater productions and is produced by Theatre Washington.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
2025 D.C. Trans Pride was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 17. The day was filled with panel discussions, art, social events, speakers, a resource fair and the Engendered Spirit Awards. Awardees included Lyra McMillan, Pip Baitinger, Steph Niaupari and Hayden Gise. The keynote address was delivered by athlete and advocate Schuyler Bailar.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
Calendar: May 23-29
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WorldPride events round-up
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