KING JAMES SCORES BIG
AT ROUND HOUSE THEATRE
Rajiv Joseph’s King James—which opened last night at Round House Theatre—isn’t a revival of the 1611 Bible translation, but a contemporary comedy named for a different kind of king: LeBron James. Structuring the play like a basketball game in four quarters, Joseph uses the rise and fall of Cleveland Cavaliers fandom as a backdrop for a nuanced, heartfelt exploration of straight male friendship.
In the first quarter (scene one), Matt (Gregory Perri), a Cleveland bartender in debt, is selling season tickets to the 2003–2004 NBA season. Shawn (Blake Morris), a struggling writer who’s never seen LeBron play live, offers a third of the price for the tickets. Oddly enough, a friendship is born. The second quarter jumps to 2010, when James announces his move to Miami. Act two begins with the third quarter in 2014, marking LeBron’s return to Cleveland, and the fourth concludes in 2016—yes, the year the Cavs made history with their championship win.
The beauty of King James lies in its accessibility. You don’t need to know a pick-and-roll from a post-up to enjoy this laugh-out-loud, entertaining play. Under Rob Ruggiero’s sharp, sensitive direction, this two-hander runs a fast-paced, well-balanced two hours that feels like a fourth-quarter nail-biter—with all the payoff of a buzzer-beater win.
Perri and Morris, both veterans of previous productions (including TheaterWorks Hartford and the 2023 Off-Broadway run), are a dream team. Their chemistry is undeniable, their timing impeccable. They play off each other with a fluidity that suggests years of collaboration—competitive team players like a seasoned backcourt duo. Their performances are lived-in, generous, and fully present.
Gregory Perri (Matt) and Blake Morris (Shawn)
Joseph’s script is tightly constructed, witty, and wise, capturing not just the rhythm of basketball fandom but the evolution of adult male friendship: awkward beginnings, shifting dynamics, and the unspoken loyalty that time forges. The play tracks its characters through career changes, personal losses, and shifting senses of identity, showing how friendships can anchor us—even if we drift.
One standout element is the play’s portrayal of a black/white friendship that, for the most part, avoids racial commentary—until it doesn’t. In the third quarter, race surfaces, and the laughter momentarily pauses. It’s a tonal shift that may divide audiences: is it a too-easy accusation or a necessary confrontation? Either way, like the characters, we must listen, consider, and reflect; ultimately, working through it. That both the play and the friendship survive is a credit to Joseph’s honest writing and the actors’ skill.
Luke Cantarella’s sets are skillful and telling, enhanced by John Lasiter’s lighting and Danielle Preston’s keen costume design, which subtly signals each stage of the characters’ development. Ruggiero’s direction unites all elements with finesse, creating a production that feels cohesive, compelling, and utterly authentic.
King James is that rare play that’s both sharply funny and quietly profound. Whether or not you follow basketball, don’t miss this home game at Round House Theatre—especially with all the ticket deals available (2-For-1 Tuesdays, free tickets for students ages 13 through college, etc.). And later in August, visitors to the Berkshires can catch the next out-of-town game at Barrington Stage Company.
photos by Margot Schulman Photography
King James
Round House Theatre
presented in partnership with TheaterWorks Hartford
4545 East-West Highway (one block from the Bethesda station on Metro’s Red Line)
2 hours with intermission
Tues-Thurs at 7:30; Fri & Sat at 8; Sat & Sun at 2
ends on June 22, 2025
for tickets ($50-$93), call 240.644.1100 or visit Round House
for more shows, visit Theatre in DC
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Gregory Fletcher is an author, a theater professor, a playwright, director, and stage manager. His craft book on playwriting is entitled Shorts and Briefs, and publishing credits include two YA novels (Other People’s Crazy, and Other People’s Drama), 2 novellas in the series Inclusive Bedtime Stories, 2 short stories in The Night Bazaar series, and several essays. Website, Facebook, Instagram.
