King James

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 9:07pm

Excited to hear about this…

Anyone going? 

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 9:16pm

It was a small (but not slight), funny, and lovely play at Steppenwolf. I'd assume it only go better. Take your straight, bro friends. 

[mar6411]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 10:00pm

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

[jbm2]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 10:14pm

mar6411 said: "https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1153359
"

Is this a direct transfer from LA? And Chicago? Same cast?

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 10:47pm

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

[Dollypop]

Posted: 4/29/23 at 11:07pm

I thought this was a play about how they translated the Bible.

[3NU]

Posted: 5/8/23 at 12:24am

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. 

 

[expectingtheworst]

Posted: 5/8/23 at 9:21pm

Just a reminder to those attending the show - MTC has two mask required performances a week, Tuesday Evenings and Sunday Matinees :)

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/9/23 at 10:26pm

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

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 5/10/23 at 12:45pm

One other observation:

MTC's production is an illustration of the segregation and identity problems that the American theatre faces right now: the night I saw it, the center section was almost entirely white and older. The side sections were mostly young people of color. The folks on the sides seemed to be having a much better time than the folks in the center.

It's imperative that the theatre welcomes newer buyers, but right now everything is sort of stuck in limbo, and in a small house with 3 distinct seating sections the contrast is, literally, black & white.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 5/16/23 at 10:10pm

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."

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 5/16/23 at 10:15pm

Hofler in The Wrap sure has some opinions about men who are fans of...anything?

‘King James’ Off Broadway Review: Why LeBron James Inspires Adult-Male Infantilism

https://www.thewrap.com/king-james-off-broadway-review-lebron-james-play/

"Davis (excellent in last season’s “Downstate” ) doesn’t have much a role to play here, although that could be Joseph’s point. Men who worship athletes (or rock stars or rappers) often don’t have a lot going on in their own life, and so must fill up that void with a fantasy alter-ego."

Updated On: 5/16/23 at 10:15 PM

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/16/23 at 11:08pm

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

[yyys]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 7:12am

https://nystagereview.com/2023/05/16/king-james-a-three-pointer-play/

 

"The production’s sole misstep, and an example of an annoying new theatrical trend, is the presence of a “DJ” (Jenn Elyse Jacobs) who spins loud music both before the show and at intermission, as well as providing an overly enthusiastic pre-curtain speech. What this has to do with the proceedings is anyone’s guess, except to damage the ears of the MTC’s not exactly spring chicken subscriber base."

 

[romain2]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 8:04am

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. 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 1:11pm

romain2 said: "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."

Makes me think of the production of Hamlet currently playing at the Guthrie, which has a live accompanist performing music for the show. He's great, and it leads to a delightful fourth wall break with Hamlet's "Do you think you can play me like a pipe?" line.

[sm33]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 1:23pm

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. 

[Melissa25]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 7:47pm

The other MTC two hander Summer 1976 doesn't have a DJ but they play pop/disco tunes from 1976 as the audience takes their seat.  Vicki Sue Robinson's Turn the Beat Around, Helen Reddy's Angel Baby along with Silver Connection's Fly Robin Fly.  Blasted me back to my hustle days.   

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 8:12pm

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.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/17/23 at 8:24pm

Enjoyed the show this afternoon. It was an older crowd who really seemed to enjoy the music.

[JoeW4]

Posted: 5/18/23 at 5:17pm

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.