REVIEW: The friendship in IRT’s ‘King James’ left something to be desired

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Matt (Quinn M. Johnson) and Shawn (Enoch King) in the IRT's 2025 production of "King James." (Photo/Zach Rosing)
Matt (Quinn M. Johnson) and Shawn (Enoch King) in the IRT's 2025 production of "King James." (Photo/Zach Rosing)

I’m still thinking about “King James” but probably not for the reason you think.

The play was good. I’ll start with that so there is no confusion about what kind of review this is. The play was good, the actors were fantastic and received a standing ovation. “King James” was funny and tense and had a heartwarming ending.

“King James” by Rajiv Joseph, directed by Jamil Jude, follows Matt (Quinn M. Johnson) and Shawn (Enoch King), two men who meet and become friends over their shared love of LeBron James. The story follows their lives over a period of 12 years and has scenes that take place in 2004, 2010, 2014 and 2016. It’s onstage at the Janet Allen Stage at the Indiana Repertory Theatre now through Feb. 9.

“King James” — which is a nod to basketball legend LeBron James — takes place on a basketball court style thrust stage with two distinct settings: a dingy wine bar in Cleveland and an oddity store named “Armand’s.” The Cleveland skyline hangs above the stage, and a montage of audio clips introduce each quarter by setting the proverbial and real stage with soundbites of pop culture, sports and politics as a projected scoreboard keeps track of the years.

Matt (Quinn M. Johnson) and Shawn (Enoch King) in the IRT’s 2025 production of “King James.” (Photo/Zach Rosing)

It’s a small stage and a small set designed to be intimate; it’s intentional in bringing you into a story that takes place in a very real, recognizable world.

Having said that, I feel like “King James” left something to be desired, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The play was heavily marketed as being about male friendship, brotherhood and the “unwavering bond” Matt and Shawn share over LeBron James. However, the play I saw was about two men who became friends because of a shared common interest — and a sick pair of season tickets to a Cavaliers games.

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Matt is a spoiled, upper-middle-class white man, and in 2004, the Cleveland wine bartender needs some fast cash after a terrible business investment falls through. He offers a pair of courtside season tickets to the Cavaliers during LeBron James rookie season. Shawn, a Black man who’s never been to a game and works three jobs to make his dreams come true, is the interested buyer.

After some back and forth, the two young men agree on a price. But without anyone to take to the games, Shawn ultimately decides to share the tickets with Matt.

Over the next six years, their friendship blossoms … sort of.

Despite having built a rapport over six years’ worth of Cavaliers games, the following three quarters of the show reveal that Matt and Shawn are deeply jealous and resentful of one another, don’t take time to understand or support each other and frequently cross personal and financial boundaries in each other’s lives.

Of course, they joke and laugh and play around, but they really don’t connect emotionally; they don’t share any interests beyond basketball. There is no accountability or compassion for one another, and when issues arise, they exit stage left instead of actually confronting the problem.

Matt and Shawn are both likeable in their own ways, and each has redeemable qualities, but the pair are awkward with each other, seemingly disconnected — even about basketball sometimes. Legacy and success are brought up a lot, so is money and privilege, and race and bias are talked about without actually talking about it.

Matt (Quinn M. Johnson) and Shawn (Enoch King) in the IRT’s 2025 production of “King James.” (Photo/Zach Rosing)

Through the course of the play, their conflict is fueled by individual faults.

Shawn maintains a closer relationship with Matt’s father and mother than he does with Matt and frequently leaves his friend in the dark about his career and personal life. However, Matt, often impulsive and insensitive in his approach, uses newfound financial success to “buy” Shawn’s attention before backtracking as soon as they disagree about something.

Eventually, this escalates when Matt tells Shawn that LeBron James “should have known his place” in reference to him leaving for the Miami Heat and then later returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shawn does hit him with a “What is that supposed to mean?” but the conversation went only in circles and no resolution was reached.

In the end, “King James” begs the question of whether or not a shared love of basketball is enough to sustain a friendship through all of life’s hardships, a changing political climate and ongoing racial tension. You’ll want to stay to the end to find out.

“King James” is onstage now at the Janet Allen Stage at the Indiana Repertory Theatre till Feb. 9. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit irtlive.com.

Editor’s note: This review has been updated.

Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.

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Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.