Steppenwolf's newest Artistic Director Glenn Davis said "King James" was born out of an ongoing conversation with his friend and collaborator, playwright Rijv Joseph.
"We've always argued about who's better, Michael Jordan or LeBron James, and our fandom and our love of theater, which is spiritual for us, the two sort of came together in this beautiful moment where Rijiv had this eureka moment and came up with this play." he said.
Davis can't contain his excitement about the ensemble's latest show that he described as an unlikely friendship forged by fandom, told through the lens of "King" LeBron James career and legacy.
"This is an important play not because it's about LeBron, but it's about humanity and it's about our collective love, admiration and reasoning behind why we laud these figures so much," he explained.
Tony and Obie Award-winning Kenny Leon (Broadway’s A Raisin in the Sun, NBC TV’s “Hairspray Live!”) directs the play, which spans the 12 years from LeBron James's rookie season to when he won the NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The two friends’ shared love of basketball and verbal games of one-on-one help them navigate the hopes, desires and fears they have bottled up since childhood.
"They meet over their collective love for basketball and LeBron's imminent coming to Cleveland to play for the Cavs. Then you watch them over the course of LeBron's career and major moments in his life become major moments in theirs," said Davis.
Davis grew up in Chicago so he knows how sports becomes a way of life for some but said you don't have to like basketball to enjoy the play.
"These characters go through their trials and tribulations, and you want to see them overcome. People come away from this play saying they were touched emotionally, I thought about my family, I was challenged. I felt seen in the play. People tell me that they don't like basketball but they say they are truly touched." he smiled. "It's truly about what it means to be a friend, how to be a friend."
The show is playing in Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater through April 10. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $20. Visit steppenwolf.org for more information.
