The Old Globe's Cassius Carter Stage has been transformed into a boxing ring for the staging of Drukman's work about famed African-American boxer Louis. Tony nominee Ethan McSweeny (Gore Vidal's The Best Man), directs a cast comprising Dion Graham (Joe Louis), Katie Barrett (Nurse/FemaleReporter/Girl/Anny/Tutor/USO Girl), Rufus Collins (Max Schmeling), David Deblinger (Reporter/Jacobs), John Keabler (Boxer), T. Ryder Smith (Announcer/Hitler/Ref/Officer) and Al White (Blackburn/Pastor).

"In 1938," according to In This Corner press notes, "there was no bigger sporting event than the bout between German boxer Max Schmeling and American 'Brown Bomber' Joe Louis. World War II is about to change how Americans view the world around them and this fight elevated Louis from African-American hero to All-American icon. In 1970, the two men reunite in the most unlikely of places: a psychiatric ward."

The production team features Lee Savage (scenic design), Tracy Christensen (costume design), Tyler Micoleku (lighting design), and Lindsay Jones (sound design). In preparation for the production, cast members received boxing training from the Boxing Company of Point Loma, CA.

Steven Drukman's works include Going Native, Another Fine Mess (Pulitzer Prize finalist), Flattery Will Get You, Snowmaiden, Collateral Damage, Fox Hollow and Youth in Asia. He is an associate arts professor at NYU, and former senior editor for "American Theatre Magazine."

In This Corner will play the Old Globe through Feb. 10 with an official opening set for Jan. 10. For tickets to In This Corner, phone (619) 234-5623 or visit www.theoldglobe.org.

The Old Globe is located at 1363 Old Globe Way in San Diego, CA.