That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole

by Franky D. Gonzalez

Winner: Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition Prize 2022
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Short Run Production, 2024
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Director Short Run Production, 2024

World Premiere Production: Urbanite Theatre 2023
Midwest Premiere: Visión Latino Theatre Company 2023

Four Latino boxers fight with everything their bodies and spirits will allow against destiny, society, and the all-consuming power of...

Winner: Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition Prize 2022
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Short Run Production, 2024
Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Director Short Run Production, 2024

World Premiere Production: Urbanite Theatre 2023
Midwest Premiere: Visión Latino Theatre Company 2023

Four Latino boxers fight with everything their bodies and spirits will allow against destiny, society, and the all-consuming power of a black hole in an effort to win the world title and overcome the roles life had assigned them.

“That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven” was developed by Urbanite Theatre, Sarasota, FL as part of the 2020 Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission
(Summer Dawn Wallace, Brendan Ragan; Artistic Directors)

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That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole

Recommended by

  • David Davila: That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    Brilliant, exhilarating, poetic, and so friggin deep! This play was absolutely stunning. A knock-out!!!

    Brilliant, exhilarating, poetic, and so friggin deep! This play was absolutely stunning. A knock-out!!!

    ”
  • Mike Byham: That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    Emotional, poetic, vibrant and visceral, Franky D. Gonzalez creates a world where prize-fighting imitates the struggles of first-generation immigrants. The prize that each of the four boxers is fighting for proves elusive as the inescapable black hole awaits them, You care for these characters - rooting for each of them to somehow find a way to reach the championship belt - even while knowing it is impossible for all of them to do so. Compelling and powerful work. Bravo!

    Emotional, poetic, vibrant and visceral, Franky D. Gonzalez creates a world where prize-fighting imitates the struggles of first-generation immigrants. The prize that each of the four boxers is fighting for proves elusive as the inescapable black hole awaits them, You care for these characters - rooting for each of them to somehow find a way to reach the championship belt - even while knowing it is impossible for all of them to do so. Compelling and powerful work. Bravo!

    ”
  • Scott Sickles: That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven or, The Dawn Behind the Black Hole by Franky D. Gonzalez
    “

    The funny thing about Destiny is it doesn't have to be specific. Instead of being riddled with details of trappings or traps, all it needs to decide is if your journey ends in paradise or wreckage. Or in this case, consumed by the black hole or basking in the dawn beyond.

    Gonzales as ever finds poetry in brutality, in boxing and life. The characters are beautifully drawn. Destiny conspires with physics, turning the atoms of their dreams into universe’s playthings. We see all possibilities. But the outcome, like the subtitular black hole, may be inescapable.

    The funny thing about Destiny is it doesn't have to be specific. Instead of being riddled with details of trappings or traps, all it needs to decide is if your journey ends in paradise or wreckage. Or in this case, consumed by the black hole or basking in the dawn beyond.

    Gonzales as ever finds poetry in brutality, in boxing and life. The characters are beautifully drawn. Destiny conspires with physics, turning the atoms of their dreams into universe’s playthings. We see all possibilities. But the outcome, like the subtitular black hole, may be inescapable.

    ”
View all 16 recommendations

Character Information

Five men. Four of these men are onstage with some doubling, while the last man plays all of the offstage voices.

All actors cast should ideally be Latino.
  • Edgar Bolaños
    Central American. All-arounder. Can brawl. Can box. While not outstanding at either, he has an undeniable heart and stamina that sees him through. He is an undocumented boxer who lost his mother getting on a train bound for the U.S. He is fighting for a title to earn a visa and avoid deportation. He has an astounding nine wins in one year against tough opposition. A feat that has earned him a high ranking despite his inexperience. Can be played by an indigenous or fair-skinned Latino.
    28
    Indigenous Latino,
    Hispanic/Latino,
    Latino,
    Central American
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Juan David Gonzalez
    Puerto Rican. A journeyman with too many losses and not enough wins. Brilliant boxing mind. Would be a coach for champions if it weren’t for his dream of winning the title. He is not athletically gifted but has a granite chin and has never been knocked down or knocked out. He is fighting to fulfill a promise to his wife and child to lift them out of their extreme poverty. Can be played by a white passing or Afro-Latino boxer.
    36
    Latino,
    Puerto Rican
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Manuel Bernal
    Mexcian. He has a come-forward all-action style. Younger brother to a legendary champion. He has a massive chip on his shoulder because his accomplishments are compared to his brother. He fights to overcome his brother’s shadow and prove he’s the greater fighter. Can be played by an indigenous or fair-skinned Latino. This actor also plays Armando’s Coach.
    23
    Latinx / Indigenous / Mestizo / Mexican
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Armando Perez
    Afro-Cubano, can do it all and has done it all. A defensive wizard who cannot be touched when his knees allow. Olympic gold, world amateur champion, and a professional resume unlike most boxers. His only two losses were in world title fights. He defected from Cuba to pursue becoming a world champion. At his age, this is his last run. This actor also plays Manuel’s Coach and the Robed Boxer.
    40
    Afro-Cubano,
    afro-latino
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male
  • Interviewer, Announcer, Referee, Armando’s Father, and Promoter
    The roles of Interviewer, Announcer, Referee, Armando’s Father, and Promoter are all played by the same actor. These characters are all offstage voices.
    45
    Latino of all backgrounds
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Race/Ethnic Identity
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American,
      Indigenous, First Nation, or Native American,
      Latinx/o/a or Hispanic
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Male

Development History

  • Reading, The Latinx Playwrights Circle, 2022
  • Reading, Ammunition Theatre Company , 2022
  • Reading, The Sol Project, 2022

Production History

Awards

  • Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Director - Short Run
    The Jeff Awards
    Winner
    2024
  • Non-Equity Jeff Award Best Production - Short Run
    The Jeff Awards
    Winner
    2024
  • Plays-in-Progress Program
    Mid-America Theatre Conference Playwriting Symposium
    Selection
    2023
  • Stage Play Competition
    ScreenCraft
    Finalist
    2023
  • SolFest
    The Sol Project
    Selection
    2022
  • Black Latino Playwrights Celebration
    Texas State University
    Finalist
    2022
  • Risk Theatre Modern Tragedy Competition
    Risk Theatre
    Winner
    2022
  • Princess Grace Playwriting Fellowship
    New Dramatists
    Semi-Finalist
    2022
  • Charles Rowan Beye New Play Commission
    Urbanite Theatre (2066956)
    Winner
    2021