KING JAMES Comes to Circle Theatre
Circle Theatre continues its upcoming ICONIC season with the regional premiere of King James by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. Directed by Cherish Love*, this funny and moving play runs March 5 through March 28, 2026.

Set over nearly two decades, King James traces the evolving friendship between two men brought together and at times divided by their shared devotion to basketball during the era of LeBron James and the cultural shifts that surrounded his rise. What begins as a simple bond over fandom grows into a nuanced exploration of loyalty, identity, ambition, and what it truly means to stand by someone.
At its core, King James is not just a sports story. It is a story about connection. It examines how the teams we root for, the cities we claim, and the cultural moments we live through shape who we become.

photo credit: TayStan Photography
The production stars Davayun Chase* as Shawn and Micah JL Brooks* as Matt, with Kae Styron as DJ. The creative team includes Kris Black Jasper* (Stage Manager), Crystal Williams (Assistant Stage Manager), Leah Mazur (Scenic Designer), Ryan Matthieu Smith (Costume Designer), Matt Wilson (Lighting and Sound Designer), and Bekah Barham (Props Designer).
“Rajiv Joseph has written something incredibly human,” says Director Cherish Love*. “You do not have to love basketball to love this play. It is about friendship in its most complicated and imperfect form. It asks how we grow, how we change, and whether the people who met us at one point in life can still recognize us years later.”

photo credit: TayStan Photography
Written by one of America’s most celebrated contemporary playwrights, King James blends humor with cultural reflection while examining loyalty, identity, race, class, and the American dream.
King James is recommended for ages 14 and up and contains strong language, including references to racism.
Performances run March 5 through March 28, 2026 at Circle Theatre in downtown Fort Worth. Tickets are available at www.circletheatre.com. Season tickets are on sale now and include King James as part of Circle Theatre’s upcoming ICONIC season.
*Member of AEA


