‘King James,’ a comedy about basketball fandom surrounding LeBron James, will have regional premiere in Cincinnati

The Know Theatre in Cincinnati will launch its 2025-2026 season with the regional premiere of native Cleveland playwright Rajiv Joseph’s “King James,” a story of basketball and brotherhood centered on LeBron James.

Slated for Sept. 11–27, “King James” is a two-person comedy set in a sports bar. This witty work involves die-hard Clevelanders Matt and Shawn, an unlikely pair bonded through their mutual adoration for LeBron who has just shot to superstardom with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The play covers their 12-year friendship — from LeBron’s rookie season through his 2016 NBA championship.

“King James” will be directed by Darnell Pierre Benjamin and staged in the Know Theatre’s Underground Bar.

The 40-year-old James became the first player to score 50,000 combined points in the regular season and postseason on Tuesday night, surpassing the mark with a 3-pointer early in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' 136-115 win over New Orleans. James is also tied with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history.

In a news release, Know Theatre organizers said they are continuing to “push artistic boundaries” next season by providing “a lineup of thought-provoking, emotionally-resonant productions that celebrate our humanity and the ties that bind us to one another.”

FILE -Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, center, celebrates with teammates after Game 7 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 19, 2016. LeBron James is about to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's career scoring leader. The AP is looking back at some of his top games along the way. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez

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Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez

The season will include such titles as “Die Hard is a Christmas Movie (Nov. 28-Dec. 21, 2025), ”Constellations" (Feb. 11-21, 2026) and “The Ravenside Occurrence” (March 27-April 18, 2026).


MORE DETAILS

The Know Theatre is located at 1120 Jackson St. in Cincinnati’s historic Over-the-Rhine. For more information, visit knowtheatre.com.

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