Medieval English kings, like Harold Godwinson and Harold the Tall, King of Norway, often compared their relative heights, regarding anyone beneath them as short. Even their stature was viewed with superiority. For example, don’t for a moment think that Shakespeare wrote "King James." Don’t confuse it with “King Lear” or " Richard III” Case in point, a basketball player who has held sway over his kingdom in Cleveland, Ohio is pridefully known as King James, one six foot eight inch monarch LeBron James.
Against great odds in a troubled childhood, LeBron James rose to triumph as a high school basketball star who reigned supreme. Playwright Rajiv Joseph has captured some of the magic and mystery of this great athlete at TheaterWorks Hartford until Sunday, March 2. Being a fan of the King, worshiping at LeBron’s sneakered feet, is a joyful task happily adopted by two Ohio men Shawn’s George Anthony Richardson and Matt’s Gregory Perri. The years from 2004-2016 in Cleveland Heights watching their royal leader soar to spectacular stardom on the Cavalier's basketball court are the highlights of their young life as they watch their number 23 reach the heavens. Will the Cavalier's end the curse that has been dooming them for decades?
Matt finds himself in financial difficulty and must sell his prized package of tickets to pay his debt. Shawn wants to purchase the tickets but can’t afford the $5600 that Matt is demanding. The pair negotiate in the wine bar that Matt is running, hoping to agree on a price that Shawn can afford and Matt can accept to solve his financial problems. The two young men, who start out as strangers, eventually bond as close friends, with Shawn getting closer to Matt’s mother than he could believe possible. Meanwhile Shawn pursues his writing career, traveling from New York City to Los Angeles and back again, wanting to be a successful screen writer.
What happens when King James is pitted against Michael Jordan as the greatest player of all time? Can the two pals survive when LeBron abandons the Cavs and leaves for the Miami Heat and then returns to Cleveland? Will Cleveland welcome back their hero or hold a grunge? Rob Ruggiero directs this saga of sports and friendship, that unites their personal and special bonding.
For tickets ($25-70), call TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at twhartford.org. Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 p.m.and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
If you are a sports fan, you are sure to embrace the 50 year sports curse when the Cleveland Cavaliers finally won a victory, led by LeBron James, one of the majestic stars on basketball's royal court.
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