Rae Binstock spent a decade living in New York City, in that time Gleason’s Gym, the nation’s oldest boxing gym became her safe haven.
She worked and trained there under the tutelage of the late Darryl Pierre, a former boxing coach at Gleason’s. Binstock met people from all walks of life in the transformative space.
When Pierre passed away in March 2022, Binstock, shocked by the tragic news of his death, reflected on the impact Pierre and Gleason’s Gym had on her life. Binstock was inspired to write about her experience there in her latest play “Relentless.”
“It was kind of the catalyst of feeling like I wanted to write this play, both as a love letter to him and everyone at Gleason’s, and to people who love boxing and the community that grows up around it,” Binstock said.
Each season Syracuse Stage presents up to six shows, incorporating a mix of new and known productions. Binstock’s “Relentless” is premiering at Syracuse Stage at 820 E. Genesee St., show dates start on Feb. 4 until Feb. 22.
“We think it’s really important to make sure that we push the American theatre cannon forward and produce a new play,” said Melissa Crespo, director at Syracuse Stage. “Whenever we do that, Bob [Robert M. Hupp, artistic director] and I are always dedicated to making sure that the play will serve a Central New York audience.”
The play wrestles with the idea of harnessing bravery to awaken the depths of understanding across demographics and socioeconomic status. By bobbing and weaving between thematic explorations of gentrification, also pride and preservation of gathering spaces; the play aims to remind guests of the importance of taking chances, investing in people and assessing personal egos.
Binstock spent about four years working on the play. All of the characters are influenced by real people and journeys at Gleason’s. From the boxing novices, lifelong boxers turned trainers to young aspiring boxing stars, she said.
Gleason’s boxing coaches have trained the likes of world champs, including Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Benny “Kid” Paret, Roberto Duran, and countless others. It also served as a production set for several classic movies and commercials, further solidifying its legendary prestige for more than 70 years.
Binstock, a Boston-native, currently based in Los Angeles, says she developed her connection to Central New York through Crespo.
Crespo and Binstock met almost three years ago. A mutual friend connected them. Binstock was searching for a director to help guide her with “Relentless” and Crespo was interested in checking out the play.
They met virtually over Zoom, and instantly clicked. Crespo read Binstock’s play and was onboard to direct the project.
Unbeknownst to both of them, another connecting factor in their acquaintanceship was Binstock’s mentor at Sing Out, Louise! Productions, also co-producing “Relentless.”
To get a live action feel for the play, Binstock and Crespo hosted an interactive workshop to test out the boxing elements.
“It was really fun because I’ve never done a workshop completely on our feet and with a fight choreographer,” Crespo said. “That was the first time I visited Gleason’s. We all went to Gleason’s together and I just got a taste of how magical the place is.”
Crespo sent the script to the rest of the Syracuse Stage team and she received the greenlight to produce it.
As the director, Crespo plays a central role in the process, Binstock said. Crespo sees her part as making the play Binstock envisioned in her head. This involves casting, locating resources, rehearsal facilitation, hiring costume and sound designers, and much more.
“It didn’t start out as a Syracuse Stage production, but it found its way here,” Crespo said.
Since working with the Syracuse Stage team for her production, Binstock has felt supported and empowered. In the process of allowing the production to evolve, Binstock expresses that she has felt lucky to receive more, “Yes, And’s”, a reference to a theatrical improvisation game where participants accept a prompt and build on it to add to the scene.
“The dream that I had when I came into the process, is now exceeded by what will happen because of the work that we’ve all been doing together,” Binstock said.
Although it’s based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, the play’s throughline to Syracuse ties back into the city’s affection for boxing. The Syracuse Boxing Hall of Fame is about twenty minutes away from Syracuse Stage and the production is in partnership with Joe Stray of Prime Time Boxing and Fitness Academy.
Other local “connective tissues” Crespo recognizes as supporters of the production are Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sports, International Boxing Hall of Fame and the board members of Syracuse Stage. Also, Gleason’s Gym, its downstate supporter.
“The love of boxing is definitely alive here,” Binstock said.
While the play mainly addresses gentrification, specifically, the ideas of progression without devaluing what already or previously exists; Crespo and Binstock consider the play as a reflection of what’s taking place currently in society.
“I know that Syracuse is a thriving, developing place, and I think that’s a very relevant challenge that can be faced with amity and with cooperation,” Binstock said. “It’s something that gets explored in the play,”
To view showdates and purchase tickets for the play, visit Syracuse Stage or stop by the box office.
For details on Binstock’s past and upcoming play productions, visit her official website.