Alberta Theatre Projects (ATP) is excited to bring Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph’s funny and fast-paced play King James to the Martha Cohen Theatre. Running February 25 - March 16, King James dives into the heart of basketball fandom and highlights the profound connections that sports can cultivate.
“King” LeBron James’ reign in Cleveland brings promise, prosperity and renewal to a city in desperate need of all three. It also brings together two unlikely friends in a bond forged by fandom. Told over twelve years (from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship) King James traces the arcs of these two friends whose turbulent relationship is best navigated through their shared love of basketball. The play is an intimate exploration of the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships.
5 things you may not know about the hit play, King James!
- Playwright Rajiv Joseph has been a huge sports fan all his life, and is from Cleveland. He wanted the pageantry of actually watching a game to be reflected in some small way through the structure of the play, which is a big part of why King James is written in 4 scenes or “quarters,” (like an NBA basketball game).
- The play covers the period of time from 2004 – LeBron James’ rookie season and when the two characters meet – until 2016, and the audience gets to see how the two characters grow and change, as well as the ups and downs of their unlikely friendship. Each "quarter" in the play is kicked off by a milestone moment in James’ career.
- King James marks the first time ATP has worked with Theatre Aquarius (Hamilton, Ontario). ATP Artistic Director Haysam Kadri (also a huge sports fan) directed the show at Theatre Aquarius in September 2024 before bringing the production to ATP this February.
- Not a basketball fan? Worried you need to take an NBA crash-course before seeing the play? Have no fear – the main focus of the play is the friendship between the two characters. Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune said the play “tells a very moving, accessible and openhearted story of two friends.” Leading up to Manhattan Theatre Company’s production in 2023, director Kenny Leon said (in an interview with theatrely.com) the play “explores the idea that many of us don’t get to the fourth quarter of friendship or relationships. So, the play really explores, what does it mean to get to the fourth quarter in friendship with all its powers to deal with that?”
- The play has been very well-received wherever it’s played – including Chicago and L.A., however – there have been amusingly opposite reactions to certain moments. For example, in an interview with theatrely.com, Glenn Davis (who played Shawn in both the Chicago and L.A. productions) talked about a moment in the play where he says LeBron James is the greatest basketball player of all time. In Chicago (where Michael Jordan played the majority of his career), he got booed. Whereas in L.A. (where LeBron plays now), people cheered.
Check out King James as part of Alberta Theatre Projects’ 2024-25 50th Anniversary Season from February 25 – March 16. For tickets and more information about the show, visit us HERE!