ABOUT THIS SHOW
“King” LeBron James’s 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 is an intimate exploration of the place that sports occupy in our lives and relationships. Ensemble member Rajiv Joseph's clever and fast-paced comedy traces the arcs of two friends whose turbulent relationship is best navigated through their shared love of basketball—and the endless amiable arguments that erupt from that love. All the while, the promise and burden of LeBron's talent and legacy loom large.
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King James is co-commissioned and co-produced by Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Center Theatre Group.
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Additional information
Cast & Artists
The Artists
- Author Rajiv Joseph
- Director Kenny Leon
- Scenic Designer Todd Rosenthal
- Costume Designer Samantha C. Jones
- Lighting Designer Lee Fiskness
- Sound Designer Rob Milburn
- Sound Designer Michael Bodeen
- Dramaturg Polly Hubbard
- Company Voice & Text Coach Gigi Buffington
- Production Stage Manager Laura D. Glenn
- Casting Director JC Clementz
Featured Ensemble Members
The Cast
Reviews
“A young playwright in demand… [Joseph’s] keen eye for conflict– and absurd humor– infuses much of Joseph’s work.” – Washington Times
“Likely will be a big hit for Steppenwolf and rightly so“ – Chicago Tribune
“Charms from start to finish… an impeccable Steppenwolf production” – Chicago Sun-Times
“King James is hands-down one of the best new works you'll see this year.” – Theatermania
“Filled with crisp, smart dialogue…. deftly written” – Newcity
“You could watch these two razz each other all day long. The duo delivers truly excellent performances.” – Chicago Reader
Sponsors
grand Production sponsors
individual production sponsors
Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation
Toni Sandor Smith
Steppenwolf's New Plays Initiative is supported by the Zell Family Foundation.
Accessibility Services sponsored by John Hart and Carol Prins
We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors from our postponed 2020 production of King James, including Laurents/Hatcher Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Northern Trust, Rich and Margery Feitler, John Hart and Carol Prins, Matthew Shapiro, John and Carol Walter, Leigh and Henry Bienen, Douglas R. Brown and Rachel Kraft, Bob and Amy Greenebaum, Laurie Anne Kladis, Harry Seigle, and Colette Cachey Smithburg and Tom Smithburg.
Welcome to our ensemble
Steppenwolf prides itself on being one of the premiere ensemble theaters in America. Being in an ensemble means being open to perspectives that differ from our own, being willing to allow multiple truths to exist and, perhaps most importantly, being open to change.
We are committed to becoming a racially, culturally and socially just organization rooted in anti-oppressive values, and we invite you to commit with us to maintaining a safe and accessible environment wherein our patrons, staff, artists, students, donors, trustees and volunteers are all part of our ensemble.
We invite you to join our ensemble by:
• Treating everyone with respect, dignity and equity.
• Centering those whose experiences you may not identify with or understand.
• Celebrating various forms of expression and trusting that there is enough space for us all.
If we witness harm being caused, we commit to:
• Having the courage to interrupt and lead with compassion.
• Centering the needs of the harmed party(ies) if physical or emotional harm is caused.
• Working together to rectify a situation when harm is caused, intentionally or accidentally.
Ensemble ethos is what this company is built on. It’s not always easy, but we believe prioritizing community is how we achieve a better tomorrow.
While we pride ourselves on staging provocative work that elicits strong emotions, reactions and connections, it is essential that we reduce the harm that has occurred too often in our physical and virtual spaces. Therefore, we reserve the right to refuse service, relocate and/or remove any person from our theater who disregards this Code of Conduct.
If you would like to share your thoughts with Steppenwolf leadership, please reach out to the company’s department heads at igotthoughts@steppenwolf.org.