Love of team underlies friendship

Shawn (Kenny Scott) shares a drink with Matt (Jordan Lane Shappell). Kevin Berne photo

Rajiv Joseph’s “King James,” presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, refers not to royalty per se but to basketball superstar LeBron James.

In this play, two men forge a friendship based on being avid fans of James’ team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Over a span of 12 years, their circumstances change. Sometimes one is doing well while the other isn’t and vice-versa.

They meet in 2004, James’ rookie season, in a Cleveland wine bar overseen by Matt (Jordan Lane Shappell). Matt is selling a set of two Cavs season tickets after his father’s death. He and his dad attended games together for years, but now he needs money.

After much haggling, Shawn (Kenny Scott) buys them and apparently asks Matt to join him at the games.

Six years later, they’re both devastated when James leaves the Cavs and goes to the Miami Heat. In the meantime, Shawn is headed for grad school in New York City.

In 2014 James has returned to Cleveland.  By then, Matt is running his parents’ cluttered knickknack shop. This time it’s Shawn who’s short of cash, so Matt has been helping him. Shawn also has developed a close relationship with Matt’s mother, leading to some jealousy.

Finally, two years later, the two men are estranged. Matt is selling the shop, and Shawn works as a screen writer in Los Angeles. He returns to Cleveland to watch the Cavs’ victory parade after their winning the NBA championship (by defeating the Warriors).

He wants Matt to join him at the parade, but Matt is no longer a fan.

Skillfully directed by TheatreWorks artistic director Giovanna Sardelli, each man fully inhabits his character and the circumstances.

The sets and costumes were designed by Christopher Fitzer with lighting by Steven B. Mannshardt and sound design by Gregory Robinson.

Because there are so many subtleties in their relationship, one must listen carefully to discern what’s going on under the surface.

And because the play focuses on the characters, one doesn’t have to know anything about basketball to enjoy it.

Running about two hours with an intermission, “King James” will continue through Nov. 3 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

For tickets and information, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org.