We never see the King but he's always in the picture.
Rajiv Joseph's terrific take on friendship, as seen through the eyes of two diehard Cleveland Cavalier basketball fans, spans the years between Lebron James's arrival on the Cavaliers as an eighteen-year-old phenom through James's "taking his talents" to the Miami Heat and then (after Intermission) returning to Cleveland years later. The friendship between Shawn (Kenny Scott) and Matt (Jordan Lane Shappell) has its own range of emotional upheavals and is the heart of this touching story.
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Matt has season tickets to Cavs games that have belonged to his father. He remembers going the arena with his Dad and hates the fact that his financial difficulties have forced him to sell the tickets for this season. Shawn wants to buy them but doesn't really have the money. Not only that, but he is purchasing a pair of tickets and doesn't have anybody to accompany him to the games.
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Next scene: Not only LeBron leaves Cleveland, but so does Shawn. He is accepted into a writers' graduate program in New York. LeBron! How can you leave Cleveland? Shawn! How can you do it too? Matt is left to carry on.
We especially like Kenny, as we're supposed to, but remain suspicious of Matt. Both Scott and Shappell have their characters' mannerisms down. This is a sports fan's dream story, as the whole concept of fandom is examined in light of friendship and our need to celebrate together. We all need friends as well as teams to cheer for.
RATINGS: ★★★ Bang
The San Francisco Theater Blog Awards Division grants "King James" THREE STARS with a Bangle of Praise. Directing, Staging and Acting earn one Star each and the cool lighting and music merit a well-deserved Bangle.
"King James"
Mountain View Center for Performing Arts
500 Castro St., Mountain View
Through Nov. 3, 2024
$34-$115
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