You don’t have to really know or care much about boxing to be drawn into the story of four Latino men striving toward a championship belt—and a better life—with Urbanite Theatre’s current production of That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven.

The play by Franky D. Gonzalez is a world premiere commissioned by Urbanite back in 2020 and just now reaching the stage, due in part to the pandemic. It centers on the four boxers, each of whom has a different reason for working in the ring. We meet Edgar (Peter Pasco), an immigrant from Mexico hoping a win will help him with a visa; Manuel (Rodney Nelson), whose own career has been overshadowed by that of his brother Armando (played by understudy Ariel Pacheco the night I attended the performance), who in turn has been basically disowned by his Cuban father for defecting; and Juan (Juan Ramirez Jr.), who’s willing to do anything to make sure his wife and child have financial stability.

While there’s a fair amount of action taking place in various matches between the boxers (convincingly choreographed by fight director Diego Villada and well executed by the cast), there’s more to the play than the ring. There’s also talk of black holes, the weight of dreams, and what heaven might really be like if any of these men ascend to it. Gonzalez’s dialogue often has a poetry to it that makes us yearn, like the men, for their dreams to come true.

And the actors (some of whom do a bit of doubling in other roles here) have passion and personalities in abundance. (Fair warning: They also have a way with Gonzalez’s often adult language, as you might expect.) Audience members are encouraged to root for their favorites in the matches, but you may find your allegiances shifting as we get to know what drives each boxer to risk their lives in a dangerous sport.

I occasionally found the play (directed by Kathleen Capdesuner) a little confusing, especially when new characters are portrayed by the actors we’ve come to know in one role. But some of the mystery here is intended, as Gonzalez gradually reveals more about the men’s pasts and motivations. There’s both humor and heartbreak on view, and one hopes That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven goes on to future productions.

The current one continues at Urbanite through July 9. For tickets, call (941) 321-1397 or visit urbanitetheatre.com.