THE HANGOVER REPORT – Rajiv Joseph’s KING JAMES examines male friendship through the lens of LeBron James fandom (oh, and racial and socio-economic circumstances, too)

Chris Perfetti and Glenn Davis in Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of “King James” by Rajiv Joseph at New York Center Theatre Group (photo by Craig Schwartz Photography).

Last night, Rajiv Joseph’s latest play King James opened Off-Broadway at New York City Center. The production arrives in New York by way of Chicago and Los Angeles, where it was presented by Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Center Theater Group, respectively. Set in Cincinnati, the play depicts the evolving friendship between Matt and Shawn, a pair of young men who bond over their fandom of superstar basketball player LeBron James (hence the play’s title).

On paper, it may seem that King James is an obvious companion piece to Joseph’s 2015 play Guards at the Taj — another two-hander that revolves around the relationship between two men. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end. As opposed to that previous work’s existential musings and florid, dreamlike aesthetic, King James staunchly grounds itself in naturalism and seemingly mundane conversation. In fact, the play itself comes across like a metaphor for male friendship in that it seems hesitant to communicate, skirting issues that it wants to unpack — namely, the impacts of socio-economic and racial circumstances on friendships (only late in the second act do these discussions rear their head). Instead, talk of LeBron — e.g., his merits as a player, his commitment to Cincinnati — remains paramount.

The production has been helmed Kenny Leon, who repeats his directorial duties from Chicago and Los Angeles. Unsurprisingly, his staging for King James is polished, and the play’s naturalism is beautifully honed and realized. As Matt and Shawn, Chris Perfetti (of Abbott Elementary fame) and Glenn Davis’s performances are well seasoned and carefully calibrated. Even if the play itself doesn’t fully satisfy, their confident stage work shines brightly.

RECOMMENDED

KING JAMES
Off-Broadway, Play
Manhattan Theatre Club at New York City Center
2 hours, 10 minutes (including an intermission)
Through June 18

Categories: Off-Broadway, Theater

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