The Round House Theatre is currently showcasing the engaging play King James, written by Rajiv Joseph, renowned for his previous work Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo.
King James is a character-driven exploration of friendship, depicted through the lens of basketball, embodying the joyful spirit of a summer afternoon spent shooting hoops with a friend.
Set in Cleveland, Ohio, the play narrates the journey of two contrasting personalities who bond over their shared love for basketball.
Through the psychological mirroring of legendary basketball player LeBron James’ career moves, the playwright delves into the characters’ distinct life paths and emotional experiences, crafting an emotional core that resonates throughout.
Blake Morris delivers an outstanding performance as Shawn, who dreams of a career in screenwriting, moving away twice—paralleling LeBron’s own departure from Cleveland to join the Miami basketball franchise.
Gregory Perri shines in his role as Matt, a more reserved character working at a wine bar as he reluctantly helps with his family’s upholstery and antiques business, which he views as a compromise.
Rajiv Joseph artfully portrays life’s unavoidable pains, noting that success, jealousy, and life’s unpredictable nature flesh out the friendship between Matt and Shawn.
The unpredictability of their beloved Cleveland Cavaliers, alongside references to basketball giants like Michael Jordan, serves as a metaphor for the complexities of their brotherly relationship.
As the years unfold, the playwright captures how a shared passion for basketball keeps their friendship intact, shedding light on themes of loyalty, race, and family dynamics with depth and complexity.
Director Rob Ruggiero expertly sets the pace for this two-hander, particularly in the latter half of the play, titled “the third and fourth quarter,” mirroring the structure of a basketball game.
Although the initial scenes, termed the “first and second quarter,” are well-crafted, they risk becoming overly expository, at times leading to a sluggish rhythm that elicited uneasy audience reactions.
Joseph’s writing echoes the male buddy dynamics commonly explored by playwrights like David Mamet and Sam Shepard, yet he infuses his narrative with a distinctive style that captures affection and intellectual depth.
The scenic design by Luke Cantarella greatly enhances the experience, featuring a meticulously designed wine bar and an authentic-looking upholstery/antiques shop, complete with a stuffed armadillo that adds charm to the setting.
The effective lighting by John Lasiter enriches the emotional tone of the play, further enhancing its themes.
Produced by Round House Theatre in collaboration with TheaterWorks Hartford and Barrington Stage Company, King James is a fascinating exploration of deep friendships and shared passions.
This captivating play runs through June 22, 2025, at the Round House Theatre, located at 4545 East-West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814.
For anyone who values meaningful friendships and invigorating conversations about shared interests, King James is not to be missed.
image source from：https://www.broadwayworld.com/washington-dc/article/Review-KING-JAMES-at-Round-House-Theatre-20250609
