| RICHMOND SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS RAJIV JOSEPH’S KING JAMES |
| Richmond Shakespeare is proud to present King James, the acclaimed comedy by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award winner Rajiv Joseph. Running January 15 through February 1, 2026 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym (114 West Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220), King James is a witty, heartfelt comedy about friendship, fandom, and the power of sports to shape our lives. “The basis of our entire friendship… LeBron for the win.” Set against the real-life arc of LeBron James’s years playing in Cleveland, King James follows Shawn and Matt, two men from very different backgrounds whose unlikely friendship is forged—and tested—through their shared devotion to basketball. Over twelve years, from LeBron’s rookie season to an NBA Championship, the men navigate loyalty, disappointment, ambition, and identity, all while debating trades, championships, and the meaning of greatness. A clever, intimate comedy, King James explores the role sports play in our relationships and how the stories we obsess over reveal who we are and who we hope to become. Artistic Director James Ricks says the play resonates deeply with contemporary audiences, “this play captures something real about our time: how we bond through fandom, how we often argue our way into friendship, and how the stories we obsess over reveal who we’re becoming. It’s something that I think is particularly prevalent in male relationships, and Rajiv Joseph has done a magnificent job capturing that dynamic.” Director Rick St. Peter highlights the play’s humor and heart adding, “Rajiv Joseph’s King James is a very funny and heartfelt look at friendship and fandom—and the prices we pay for each. It also desperately wants to know the answer to the question, ‘Who is the GOAT of basketball?’ There is only one answer, but you’ll have to come to the show to discover it.” Critics have praised the play for its humor, emotional depth, and insight into modern friendship: “…a touching examination of male friendship and the powerful social currents beneath it.”— The New York Times “Joseph has created one of the funniest and most moving plays about friendship in years… Basketball fans will love Joseph’s insidery jokes, but even if you don’t follow the game all that much, King James is a must-see.”— TheaterMania “Exuberant and terrific!”— The Wall Street Journal “Game on! If you love LeBron, King James is just the ticket!”— Daily Beast “Playwright Rajiv Joseph shoots and scores!”— New York Stage Review King James runs January 15 through February 1, 2026 at Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym, an intimate black box space that places audiences courtside for this smart, emotionally resonant story.Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.richmondshakespeare.org for more information. FAST FACTS WHO: Richmond ShakespeareWHAT: King James by Rajiv JosephWHEN: January 15 through February 1, 2026 (Thursdays–Saturdays at 7:30p, Sundays at 2p)WHERE: Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Theatre Gym, 114 West Broad St., Richmond, VA 23220HOW: Purchase tickets at www.richmondshakespeare.org For high-resolution press photos, please reply to jase@richmondshakespeare.org. |
 Pictured is Joshua Mullins as Matt and Joshua Carter as Shawn in King James |
 Pictured is Joshua Mullins as Matt and Joshua Carter as Shawn in King James |
| About Richmond Shakespeare |
| Richmond Shakespeare produces vital works of classical and contemporary theatre, with Shakespeare as our foundation. We approach this work boldly with a resolve to ignite spirits, educate minds and defy expectation. We also like to work with exciting new plays that resonate with our reverence for language, our commitment to sharing ideas and bold staging that ignites the heart and mind. Richmond Shakespeare is committed to the principles of access, equity, inclusion, and diversity in our board of directors, staff, and programming. To make our work accessible to as wide of an audience as possible, we keep our ticket prices amongst the lowest in the region. To bring the classics to all, we offer all our education programs at or below cost because we believe everyone should have the chance to experience live theatre. |