King James

Excited to hear about this…

Anyone going?

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1153359

Yes, it's the same Steppenwolf/Center Theatre Group production from Chicago and LA, with the same cast and director.

https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2022-2023/king-james

I saw tonight's preview. I was encouraged to see it after reading several reviews about the play being a thoughtful exploration of male friendship. I was also aware of a few critics' grumblings that some issues raised during the play (especially those around race) were left unresolved. After seeing the show, I can say that both viewpoints are valid. Though, my takeaway was that what could be interpreted as the show's "weaknesses" are mostly indicative of shortcomings in the expression of male friendship in the U.S. these days -- particularly the lack of emotional intimacy. In other words, I felt the portrayal of the two characters was pretty darn accurate.

The structure of the play is interesting, with four scenes spread across 13 years. The play hints at the time setting using both LeBron James' career and cell phones (in humorous fashion) as framing devices. There are pretty cool set changes made in the dark, including a set rotation at the beginning of Act 2.

Both performances were tender and honest, though I felt Chris Perfetti was the stronger, more consistent actor. The pair also showed good chemistry, which I expected, given that they've played these roles before in both Chicago and LA. The show also had quite a bit of humor, which the actors played well.

As someone who knows almost nothing about basketball, I can assure you that if you read the full intro section of LeBron James' Wikipedia page, which highlights his career and how much he means to Cleveland, you'll be able to follow along just fine. Sure, you might miss some of the NBA references, but none are critical to the plot.

MTC lists the runtime as 1 hr 45 minutes, though tonight's performance ran about 2 hours 5 minutes, including the 15 minute intermission.

This is a highly enjoyable, populist play. Well written & acted. It’s wafer thin, but feels fresh & contemporary & entirely apolitical.

It starts slow with a spoken intro by an unnecessary DJ (who serves zero other purpose in the play), followed by a slow version of the national anthem. Then the play itself finally begins.

Runtime 2 hours including intermish.

It would play well as an audio play or narrative podcast, too.

Updated On: 5/10/23 at 10:26 PM

This NYT review feels weirdly vague. I guess the first act's week, the second act's strong, and the cast is good?

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/theater/king-james-review.html

"A two-hander will almost always let the meat (be it sports, play dates or Idina Menzel obsessions) fall off as its thematic bones reveal themselves and, across those four scenes, James eventually takes his place as the catalyst for the duo’s deeper bond. But, however well acted, the interactions Joseph creates for them during the first act (2004 and 2010) are just a little too slight in their significance, leaving most of the show’s heft to the sturdier second act.

The inclusion of Khloe Janel as a D.J. — posted up by the audience, away from the stage — playing requisite jock jams and period-appropriate Usher hits during transitions, hypes up the love of the game but obscures the play’s core. Luckily, the perfectly cast Davis and Perfetti, whose physicality keenly conveys the toll of time passing, are intensely watchable, whether they’re discussing foul shots or failed ambitions.

...

When tension does bubble up, during the play’s final encounter, it appears inevitable and is astutely observed without feeling writerly, showcasing Joseph’s mastery over the way everyday conversation can belie or reveal social realities. His work here is a strong analysis of friendship dynamics built along, but not hinged upon, the issues that divide them."

I'm seeing tomorrow's matinee and looking forward to it.

Saw King James in Chicago and loved it. Beautiful performances.


I am chuckling at the NYC critics who are clutching their pearls over the DJ. In Chicago, we loved her. She received great reviews. She was a joy to watch. She joyfully set the tone and brought you into the world.

Saw this in LA and liked it! I thought Perfetti was the stronger performer of the two, but they were both good and it was an enjoyable evening at the theater. Our crowd was really into the DJ, lol.

Summer 1976 may not, but the previous MTC production at the Samuel J. Friedman, The Collaboration, did have an onstage DJ. NY Stage Review is right; definitely seems like a trend.

Seems like reception for this is starting to become more mixed. I went in with too-high expectations after hearing several people rave about it beforehand, and seeing the strong Show-Score reviews.

Personally I thought it was a play with some worthwhile ideas and sentiments, but a lot of really shoddy, artificial, lazy writing on the path to get there. Didn't care much for the production either. Oh well.