Headliner Chicago
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    • Superman - Editor's Review
    • Jurassic World: Rebirth - Editor's Review
    • Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning - - Editor's Review
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    • Paddington in Peru - Editor's Review
    • An interview with Benjamin Ingrosso
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    • ARC music festival 2024
    • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - Editor's Review
    • Labor Day Fun - the unofficial end of BRAT summer
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    • Star Wars Celebrations for May the 4th
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    • Possible surprise guests at Lollapalooza 2024
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    • The editor's predictions for lollapalooza 2024
    • A Preview of Chicago's Concert Festivals
    • Spring & Summer shows in Las Vegas
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    • Chicagoland's Winter Holiday Pop-Ups
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    • A First Look at the 59th Chicago Film Festival
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    • Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
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    • Park Ridge's Pickwick Theatre is closing
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    • SPOILER ALERT: Gaga's Chromatica Ball preview & setlist
    • Chicagoland's Winter Holiday Pop-Ups
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    • Etty Farrell on favorite Lollapalooza performance & special memory with Dua Lipa
    • A sneak preview of the Reeling Film Festival
    • Kick off the weekend with these Chicago holiday traditions
    • Concert Review - The Smashing Pumpkins at the Metro
    • CONCERT REVIEW: Dua Lipa
    • Revisiting Lady Gaga's Favorite Chicago Spots
  • About Dad Time
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    • Chicagoland Kid-Friendly Events in March
    • Spring break ideas for a chicago staycation
    • Visit St. Charles this February

Steppenwolf scores with the phenomenal King James

King James
​
THEATRE REVIEW
​
By Andy Sinclair
Headliner Chicago


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“Basketball is like religion. Many attend but few understand.”

- Scott Skiles
​

There is something religious about sports fandom.  There are throngs of devoted supporters who are dedicated to never missing a game. They dress up, watch intently, and love to commune with those who are equally devoted.  The traditions are ceremonious and the dedication is devout.  Sports fandom may be one of the significant unifying forces in the United States, a country that seems to thrive on division.  As Chicagoans, we may not agree on much, but we will defend the Cubs, the Sox or the Bulls to anyone who thinks of talking smack.  Blood may be thicker than water, but nothing is more rich than a sports fan’s loyalty to their team and to their city.

Steppenwolf’s world premiere production of King James is the ideal show for our town and our time.  The premise is simple: two men form an unlikely friendship with a singular bond known as the Cleveland Cavaliers.  The show begins in 2008 when the Cavaliers experienced a new-found national reputation due to an 18 year old rookie known as LeBron James.  A casual ticket purchase meet and greet leads to an Odd Couple-like friendship that spans the next twelve years of laughs, fights, misunderstandings and emotional distancing.  As James’ career zigs and zags, so does the dynamic of this friendship.  As one man’s legacy begins to shape and betray Cleveland, the similar dynamics and tensions of jealousy, motivation and misunderstanding invade the duo’s friendship.
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I walked into the theatre thinking this show wasn’t for me.  My knowledge of basketball is minimal and I know more about LeBron’s Sprite commercials than I do his statistics. Boy, was I wrong.   This is a show about friendship, love, loyalty, and betrayal.  It is the story of deep respect and even deeper wounds.  It is a story of devotion and realization.  It is the most Chicago story I’ve seen - which is ironic since the entire production takes place over 300 miles west of our beloved city.

This two-hander dramedy features a pair of powerhouse performances.  Steppenwolf ensemble member (and newly-minted Co-Artistic Director) Glen Davis brings a subtle, relatable ease to Shawn.  His sly smile and ever-present passion is the perfect side-dish to Chris Perfetti’s Matt.  The nervous energy Perfetti brings is not only relatable to many audience members, but also causes us to cringe when we realize that his mouth is working faster than his brain.  This mismatched duo provides ample comic moments and also true reflections on the frailty of friendships - especially those between two heterosexual men.

This production - and the pitch-perfect writing of playwright Rajiv Joseph - is quintessential Steppenwolf.  The design aspects are inspired, the live DJ is a great touch, and the large existential themes are the perfect coat hanger for the simple friendship of these two fans.  This is the ideal return to live theatre for Steppenwolf and is the perfect example of where this company plans to take audiences in its post-pandemic resurgence.
​
4 stars (out of four)

King James
Now Playing through April 10, 2022


Steppenwolf Theatre
1650 North Halstead
Chicago, Illinois 60614
https://www.steppenwolf.org
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  • Video of the Day
    • Superman - Editor's Review
    • Jurassic World: Rebirth - Editor's Review
    • Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning - - Editor's Review
    • Mother's Day suggestions in chicagoland
    • how to celebrate st. Patrick's day the chicago way
    • Paddington in Peru - Editor's Review
    • An interview with Benjamin Ingrosso
    • Queer - Editor's Review
    • Wicked - Editor's Review
    • ARC music festival 2024
    • Beetlejuice Beetlejuice - Editor's Review
    • Labor Day Fun - the unofficial end of BRAT summer
    • Lollapalooza 2024 Recap
    • Pride events in chicagoland
    • Star Wars Celebrations for May the 4th
    • Mother's Day shows in Chicagoland
    • How to best experience Monday's solar eclipse
    • It's time to visit Rosemont this Spring & Summer
    • Possible surprise guests at Lollapalooza 2024
    • Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire - Editor's Review
    • The editor's predictions for lollapalooza 2024
    • A Preview of Chicago's Concert Festivals
    • Spring & Summer shows in Las Vegas
  • The Weekender
  • Theatre Reviews
    • & Juliet
    • Network
    • Little Bear Ridge Road
    • Death Becomes Her
    • The Thanksgiving Play
    • Mrs. Doubtfire - A Musical Comedy
    • Boop! The Musical
    • La Cage Aux Folles
  • Archives
    • Last Minute Valentine's Day Gifts
    • where to celebrate "the Big Game" in chicago
    • A trip to Delightful Pastries - A paczki paradise in Chicago.
    • Chicago celebrates Madonna's Tour Stop
    • Wonka - Editor's Review
    • Mean Girls - Editor's Review
    • Chicagoland's Winter Holiday Pop-Ups
    • Saltburn - Editor's Review
    • A First Look at the 59th Chicago Film Festival
    • Unique movie experiences in Chicagoland
    • Trolls Band Together - Editor's Review
    • Family fun activities in Chicagoland
    • Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
    • Barbie - Editor's Review
    • Halloween Celebrations in the Chicagoland Area
    • Moulin Rouge! The Musical!
    • Hocus Pocus 2 - Editor's Review
    • Top Gun: Maverick - Editor's Review
    • The Lost City - Editor's Review
    • I Want You Back - Editor's Review
    • Top 10 Headliner Chicago Videos of 2023
    • how to celebrate st. Patrick's day the chicago way
    • POTUS
    • Marry Me - Editor's Review
    • A sneak preview of the reeling film fest
    • Subsurface - Editor's Review
    • King James
    • Haunted Mansion - Editor's Review
    • Scream - Editor's Review
    • Encanto - Editor's Review
    • Scream 6 - Editor's Review
    • Good Night, Oscar
    • A Recipe for Disaster
    • MJ: the Musical
    • Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!
    • Hamilton
    • Spooky Weekend Guide for Kids and Families
    • how to celebrate galentine's day in Chicagoland
    • Tiffany - interview
    • Time Out Market
    • A Sneak Preview of the 17th Annual Chicago Restaurant Week
    • Chicagoland celebrates Elvis Presley's 89th Birthday
    • Top 10 Headliner Chicago Videos of 2022
    • Holiday Shows in Chicagoland
    • Thema Houston - Interview
    • Let's Celebrate Taylor Swift the Chicago way!
    • The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party
    • Museum of Illusions
    • Love Actually? An Unauthorized Musical Parody
    • Jay Sethi - Diageo Beer Company (Guinness Tap Room)
    • Movie picks for National Cinema Day
    • FREE TICKETS - I Want You Back - SNEEK PREVIEW
    • 57th Annual Chicago International Film Festival
    • Halloween Films Set in Illinois
    • Dear Evan Hansen - Editor's Review
    • Summer theatre performances for kids
    • Disney's Frozen
    • The Green Knight - Editor's Review
    • ARC Music Festival - Editor's Review
    • The Tomorrow War - Editor's Review
    • Wolfgang - Editor's Review
    • A Christmas Story Christmas - Editor's Review
    • Museum of Illusions
    • Swissotel's Santa Suite
    • Explore magical fun in Chicago this summer
    • To-Go Valentine's Day menu from Chicagoland hot spots
    • Top 10 Headliner Chicago Videos of 2021
    • 10 Acts to See at Lollapalooza
    • New Year's Eve Outfit - A trip to Primark
    • No Hard Feelings - Editor's Review
    • Family Shows & Musicals Coming to Chicagoland
    • Elton John at Lollapalooza?
    • Theatre Camp - Editor's Review
    • St. Patrick's Day Events in Chicago
    • Cinco De Mayo in Chicago
    • Mafia Mamma - Editor's Review
    • Disney's The Little Mermaid - Editor's Review
    • Chicago is the home for great comedy this February
    • Santa Suite, breakfast with Santa & more at Swissotel this holiday season
    • Chevy Chase coming to suburban Raising Cane's for holiday lighting
    • Chicago is about to become "Harry's House"
    • Park Ridge's Pickwick Theatre is closing
    • Chicagoland Pride Celebrations
    • SPOILER ALERT: Gaga's Chromatica Ball preview & setlist
    • Chicagoland's Winter Holiday Pop-Ups
    • Lollapalooza - Surprise Guests & Backstage Celebs
    • Etty Farrell on favorite Lollapalooza performance & special memory with Dua Lipa
    • A sneak preview of the Reeling Film Festival
    • Kick off the weekend with these Chicago holiday traditions
    • Concert Review - The Smashing Pumpkins at the Metro
    • CONCERT REVIEW: Dua Lipa
    • Revisiting Lady Gaga's Favorite Chicago Spots
  • About Dad Time
    • Despicable Me 4 - Editor's Review
    • chicagoland summer activities for kids
    • Kung Fu Panda 4 - Editor's Review
    • Chicagoland Kid-Friendly Events in March
    • Spring break ideas for a chicago staycation
    • Visit St. Charles this February