CREEDE — On July 15, Creede Repertory Theatre (Creede Rep) will open “The Royale” by Marco Ramirez, a fast-paced sports drama based on the life of Black heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson, at the turn of the 20th century.

“Originally slated for our 2022 season, we could not be more excited to finally share this phenomenal production with our audience. The entire production team as well as the cast have returned to give this story its due,” says Creede Rep Producing Artistic Director John DiAntonio.

“Marco Ramirez’s play about Jay ‘The Sport’ Jackson gives us a peek at what obstacles Jack Johnson faced on his way to becoming the heavyweight champion of the world and how he might have dealt with them,” says returning director, Kyle Haden. “As we move further into the twenty-first century and watch our latest generation of athletic heroes start to ride off into the sunset or edge toward the exit, I think about: What do we ask of our heroes? What did we ask of Jack Johnson?”

The San Luis Valley and Creede also share a rich history with the sport of boxing. Jack Dempsey also known as the “The Manassa Mauler” became the heavyweight champion of the world in 1919. Dempsey was born in Manassa, just south of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley, and grew up in Lower Creede (Jimtown) around the turn of the century.

The production runs July 15 to Sept. 2 in Creede Rep’s intimate Ruth Humphreys Brown Theatre, 120 S. Main St., with evening performances beginning at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. for matinees. Tickets start at $38.

July also features two special events. For fans of the legendary songwriting duo Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, don’t miss “A Celebration of Rodgers & Hammerstein” which will feature a collaboration between Creede Rep and the Creede Musical Arts Collective (CMAC) and showcases Creede Rep’s musical talent alongside CMAC’s world-class singers as they explore the works of the famous duo. The host for the evening is Creede Rep alumnus Ted Chapin, who served as the president of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization for 40 years.

“Ted is a legend and one of the foremost experts on Rodgers and Hammerstein,” DiAntonio says. “We can’t wait to have him back on our stage for one night only.”

This once-in-a-lifetime event takes place Thursday, July 13, at 7 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre, 124 N. Main St. Tickets are $50.

On July 25, country swing duo, Poi Rogers, will perform a benefit concert for Creede Rep under the tent at the historic Creede Hotel and Restaurant. Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you’ll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, Calif., the duo performs original and vintage country and western swing, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads, and cowboy tunes. Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame. Carolyn was named the Academy of Western Artists’ 2021 Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated for a 2023 Ameripolitan Award for the same. Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on acoustic guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show. Tickets are $30 and attendees may purchase dinner and drinks through the Creede Hotel and Restaurant. The performance begins at 5 p.m.

719-658-2540, or email boxoffice@creederep.com.