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King James

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  2m

“King” LeBron James’ years playing in Cleveland bring promise, prosperity and renewal to the city; his tenure also unites Shawn and Matt in an unlikely friendship. In a twelve year span from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship, these men navigate their turbulent bond through a shared love of basketball in this touching two-actor drama.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    105 Minutes
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14-18)

Details

Summary

The fortunes of the Cavaliers are about to change: The great LeBron James, the biggest star in basketball, is coming to Cleveland. But when superfan Matt’s latest business venture turns sour, he has to sell his most prized possession – his pair of Cavs season tickets. The buyer, Shawn, just sold his first short story – so watching his team in the flesh for the first time will be a sweet reward. Now just to figure out what to do with that second ticket. Thrown together by chance, the next 12 years prove as defining, dramatic, and sometimes heart-breaking for Matt and Shawn as they do for the Cavs – and for “King” LeBron James. Multi-award-winner Rajiv Joseph delivers a clever comedy that is an intimate exploration of the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships.

History

King James premiered in 2022 in co-productions at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago and Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Directed by Kenny Leon, the production featured Glenn Davis, Khloe Janel and Chris Perfetti.

Cast Attributes

SHAWN – Black, ages 21, 27, 31 and 33.
MATT – White, same ages.

  • Time Period Present Day
  • Setting

    Cleveland Heights, Ohio. 2004, 2010, 2014 and 2016.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes/Street Clothes
  • Duration 105 Minutes

Media

“Funny and genuinely touching.” – Time Out

“A touching examination of male friendship and the powerful social currents beneath it.” – The New York Times

“Joseph has created one of the funniest and most moving plays about friendship in years... Basketball fans will love Joseph’s insider-y jokes. Even if you don’t follow the game all that much, King James is a must-see.” – TheaterMania

Videos

  • King James – Opening Night Responses youtube thumbnail

    King James – Opening Night Responses

  • Playwright Rajiv Joseph on King James youtube thumbnail

    Playwright Rajiv Joseph on King James

  • King James – Manhattan Theatre Club Trailer youtube thumbnail

    King James – Manhattan Theatre Club Trailer

  • Scene from King James at Manhattan Theatre Club youtube thumbnail

    Scene from King James at Manhattan Theatre Club

  • King James – Hampstead Theatre Trailer youtube thumbnail

    King James – Hampstead Theatre Trailer

  • King James in 60 Seconds – Cleveland Play House youtube thumbnail

    King James in 60 Seconds – Cleveland Play House

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Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £85 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Rajiv Joseph

Rajiv Joseph’s play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist for drama and also awarded a grant for Outstanding New American Play by the National Endowment for the Arts. His play Guards at the Taj was a 2016 Obie winner for Best New American Play and ...

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