RELENTLESS

By Rae Binstock

February 4 – 22, 2026

L to R: Jeorge Bennett Watson, David Harrison Pralgo, Caylie Filipa, Sean Patrick Reilly, Rebecca S'manga Frank, and Stephen Michael Spencer in “Relentless” by Rae Binstock. Photo: Michael Davis

February 4 – 22, 2026

WORLD PREMIERE
By Rae Binstock | Directed by Melissa Crespo | Co-produced with Sing Out, Louise! Productions

A knockout new play about loyalty and legacy.

Monique Jeffries was poised to be one of the greatest professional boxers in history, but years after her career has ended, she is right back where she started: running Bailey’s, her childhood gym, training finance bros with delusions of grandeur and taking directions from her former coach Johnny. As the Golden Gloves amateur tournament approaches, Monique receives a surprising offer from one of her “white collar” boxing clients: he wants to buy Bailey’s and convert it into an elite boxing facility, where they can train the best of the best and revitalize the flagging sport. But Johnny isn’t about to let that happen, and the ensuing bout between teacher and student is as intimate as it is brutal in this bare-knuckled world premiere.

“The joy of fresh, new, unfamiliar theater is the discovery of setting, story, and character, and new plays are a treat.”
– Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard

VIEW THE PROGRAM

RUNTIME
Act 1: 60min

Intermission 15min

Act 2: 50min

Content Warnings: Flashing lights, Fog/Haze, Strong Language

Learn More About the Creation of Relentless

READ ARTICLE

Travel to Brooklyn with the cast as they train at Gleason's, the world-famous gym that inspired the play, with this story from Syracuse.com

READ ARTICLE

Learn how playwright Rae Binstock and director Melissa Crespo drew inspiration from Brooklyn’s legendary Gleason’s Gym to shape “Relentless”

VIEW GALLERY

See inside Gleason’s Gym with the cast

“RELENTLESS”

Jeorge Bennett Watson, David Harrison Pralgo, Caylie Filipa, Sean Patrick Reilly, Rebecca S'manga Frank, and Stephen Michael Spencer in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike

David Harrison Pralgo and Jeorge Bennett Watson in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike Davis.

Rebecca S'manga Frank in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike Davis.

Jeorge Bennett Watson and Caylie Filipa in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike Davis.

Jeorge Bennett Watson, David Harrison Pralgo, Sean Patrick Reilly, Stephen Michael Spencer, and Rebecca S'manga Frank in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike Davis.

Jeorge Bennett Watson, Sean Patrick Reilly, Stephen Michael Spencer, and David Harrison Pralgo in the world premiere production of "Relentless" by Rae Binstock at Syracuse Stage. Feb. 4 - 22, 2026. Photo by Mike Davis.

Special Events

PROLOGUE

Feb. 8 @ 1 PM
Feb. 14 @ 1 PM
Feb. 19 @ 6:30 PM
Join us one hour prior to the show for a moderated panel discussion. Free for ticket holders.
WEDNESDAY @1 LECTURE

Feb. 11 @ 1 PM
Join us one hour prior to the show for an insightful lecture from a guest speaker on a topic related to the show. Free for ticket holders.
TALKBACK

Feb. 8 after the 7:30 PM performance.
Stick around after the show for a Q&A with the cast. Free for ticket holders.
HAPPY HOUR

Feb. 12 @ 6:30 PM
Join us one hour prior to the show for discounts at the bar and complimentary light snacks (while supplies last). Free for ticket holders.
TACOS + TRIVIA

Feb. 17
Join us for pre-show trivia. Free for ticket holders. Registration required. Limited spots available.
AUDIO DESCRIBED

Feb. 21 @ 2 PM
For those who are visually impaired. Those who need it, will be given a headset in which a staff member will describe the actions taking place in the show. Descriptions start 30 minutes prior to show. This is not disruptive to other patrons.

TICKETS
ASL

Feb. 14 @ 2PM
American Sign Language interpreters will sign for these performances.

TICKETS
OPEN CAPTION

Feb. 21 @ 7:30 PM
Feb. 22 @ 2 PM
Screens are placed to the side of the stage where the dialogue will display.
PAY-WHAT-YOU-WILL

Feb. 4 - 8
To make theatre accessible to all, 80 tickets total are available through the M&T Bank Pay-What-You-Will Program for performances Feb. 4 - 8, while supplies last.
Pay-What-You-Will tickets must be claimed in person at the Box Office or by phone on the date of the desired performance, subject to availability.
Box Office hours:
Wed – Fri, 10 AM – 5 PM and 2 hours prior to any performance