[rating=5] Seeing the title of the current production on the Steppenwolf Theatre “downstairs” stage, one might think, “Oh no! This must be Shakespeare!” They would be wrong! Very wrong. This play is a world premiere play that takes us into the behind the sports scene. Yes, it is about sports, but more about male bonding and how being a fan can bring people together. BTW- The King referred to in this play is Lebron James, the basketball player that brought happiness to the championship starved city of Cleveland.
I must tell you that having been a Cubs season ticket for over 30 years with no championships gives me a better understanding of the play and the men we get to meet, and know. Matt ( a dynamic performance by Chris Perfetti) owns a wine bar. He is a nice young man but evidently not a sharp businessman or great with women. He does love basketball and his parents, who own a “junque” shop ( for want of a better description) have asked him to sell their season tickets to the CAVS, Selling these will help them ease their financial burdens.
Enter Shawn ( deftly handled by Glenn Davis) who is a fledging writer that loves his CAVS. He truly loves the idea of being at a game “live” and watching this newcomer, LeBron James, who they are calling the next Michael Jordan ( or even better). The two men haggle in the first scene, but as they haggle, they also become closer. In fact, we watch them bind in a way that we seldom see men do. Yes, it is basketball and LeBron that are bringing them closer, but they do become closer and closer as the play progresses. In fact, Shawn develops a strong relationship with Matt’s family. One might say by the second scene and for sure the first scene of the second act, one can see that Shawn is more like the son they wanted and Matt is the “outsider”.
After intermission, we are treated to a second round of music by DJ Khloe Janel, located in the balcony box to the left of the stage ( as we face it from the audience). This is done at the start of the play as well. As Act II begins, the entire stage revolves taking us from Matt’s Wine Bar to his parents shop ( the sets by Todd Rosenthal are a work of art) and the props are absolutely amazing (Bren Coombs, Danielle Moyal). Directed to perfection by Kenny Leon, Rajiv Joseph’s script is amazing and understandable even if you are not a basketball fan. In other words, you don’t need to know the game, but it does help if you understand how sports can bring men together.
For all the years of being a season ticket holder, the people in my section were my CUBS FRIENDS. I never saw them outside of the ball park. I never even spoke to them other than to see if they needed one of my tickets or had an extra because I had a friend in town. But when we sat in our seats, we shared our love of the team, the game and even some peanuts. This is part of having the tickets. In this story, although they no longer share the tickets, these two characters share their love of Lebron, until he leaves the team. How could he? What was he thinking? Yet, he is the “king” so he can do what he wants! The story covers a period of 12 years.
I do not want to give anything away, but in the final scene ( the 4th scene), we learn more as the CAVS do win their championship and there is a parade and Cleveland is on a high. This excitement offers a challenge to the friendship that we have watched grow for almost two hours. How will it end? Will they remain friends? Will LeBron James remain their hero or will he be their enemy? This is one that you will want to see, if not now, in the future. It shows a side of men not often seen in a story. It shows how sports and a sports hero can change the course of the lives of two strangers who share one thing in common- the their ideas about Le Bron James a/k/s “King James”.
“King James” will continue in Steppenwolf Theatre’s Downstairs Theatre thru April 10th with performances as follows:
Theatre is located at 1650 N. Halsted There is parking available and the theater does have an open bar with some food
Tickets range in Price: $20-$88 Covid Rules apply- VAC card and ID plus face masks during the entire performance.
Box Office: 312-335-1650
Running Time: 1hr, 55mins; one intermission
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “King James”.
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