(AGENPARL) – lun 01 maggio 2023 [https://photos.smugmug.com/BBB-Letterhead/n-SrRjVn/i-XjkDxcz/0/M/i-XjkDxcz-M.jpg]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 1, 2023
Manhattan Theatre Club’s
New York Premiere of
Steppenwolf Theatre Company and
Center Theatre Group’s production of
King James
Begins Previews Tomorrow
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By Rajiv Joseph
Directed by Kenny Leon
Starring Glenn Davis and Chris Perfetti
Opening Tuesday, May 16, 2023
At MTC at New York City Center – Stage I
Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director and Barry Grove, Executive Producer)’s New York premiere of Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Center Theatre Group’s production of King James, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) and directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Fences), begins previews tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 2. Starring Glenn Davis (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, Downstate) and Chris Perfetti (“Abbott Elementary”), King James opens Tuesday, May 16 at New York City Center – Stage I (131 West 55th Street).
”King” LeBron James was just the hero that Cleveland needed. One of the greatest NBA players to ever hit the court, his influence on the whole city loomed large for the dozen years of his reign. Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph’s (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) wonderfully funny and remarkably moving new play chronicles the unexpected friendship between two men whose intertwined fortunes are tied to those of their idol. This highly anticipated, adrenaline-paced New York premiere about the power of connection is directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun, Fences).
Also in the company is Khloe Janel as the DJ.
The creative team for King James includes Todd Rosenthal(scenic design), Samantha C. Jones (costume design), Lee Fiskness (lighting design), Michael Bodeen & Rob Milburn (sound design), Gigi Buffington (vocal coach), Richard Hodge (production stage manager), JC Clementz (Casting), Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie (Additional Casting).
Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to offer audiences and the general public free Beyond the Stage content, which is designed to enrich audiences’ experience with King James and to allow those not able to see the production a way to connect with the show. Join us for Black Theatre Night on Thursday, May 18 for a post-show discussion about “The Culture of Fandom” with Brandon Brown, Clinical Assistant Professor of Sport Management, and Jarrod Barnes, Clinical Assistant Professor of Sport Management, moderated by Jas Dhami, VP Sports and Streaming at We Are Social. Information about this event, a podcast episode featuring an interview with playwright Rajiv Joseph, and a playlist inspired by the show can be found at MTCBeyondtheStage.com
The 2022-23 season marks Lynne Meadow’s 50th Anniversary as Artistic Director of Manhattan Theatre Club. Meadow was joined by Executive Producer Barry Grove in her third season, and together they have helmed MTC for 48 years. MTC’s mission, which Meadow created in 1972 and has implemented since, is to develop and present new work in a dynamic, supportive environment; to identify and collaborate with the most exciting new as well as accomplished artists; and to produce a diverse repertoire of innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking plays and musicals by American and international playwrights. Since 1989, MTC Education, which uses the power of live theatre and playwriting to awaken minds, ignite imaginations, open hearts, and change lives, has also been an important part of our work.
Over five decades, MTC has grown from a small off-off-Broadway showcase into one of the country’s most prestigious and award-winning theatre companies, creating approximately 600 world, American, New York and Broadway premieres. Our productions have earned 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 28 Tony Awards, 50 Drama Desk Awards and 49 Obie Awards amongst many other honors. Our Broadway home is the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and our two Off-Broadway theatres are at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MTC is an anti-racist organization that respects and honors all voices, and upholds the values of community and equity.
TICKETING INFORMATION
MTC SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PATRON MEMBERSHIPS
HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
– WEEK OF MAY 1: Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinee on Sunday at 2PM.
– WEEK OF MAY 8: Tuesday and Friday at 8PM; Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 7PM; Matinees on Wednesday and Sunday at 2PM; dark on Saturday.
– WEEK OF MAY 15: Wednesday and Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM. The Tuesday opening night performance is at 6:45PM.
– WEEK OF MAY 22: No Wednesday evening performance. Tuesday and Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM.
– WEEK OF MAY 29: Tuesday-Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2PM.
– WEEKS OF JUNE 5 AND 12: Tuesday-Thursday at 7PM; Friday and Saturday at 8PM; Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2PM.
BIOGRAPHIES
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GLENN DAVIS is an accomplished actor, producer, and an Artistic Director of Steppenwolf Theatre. He garnered widespread acclaim for his performance in the world premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. Davis appeared most recently in King James at Steppenwolf and CTG. He will next be seen in the off-Broadway production of the award-winning Downstate. Additional Steppenwolf performing credits include The Christians, Head of Passes, and The Brother/Sister Plays. He has appeared off-Broadway at MCC Theater and the Vineyard Theatre. Additionally, Glenn has performed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, the National Theatre, and the Stratford Festival. Davis is a partner at The Chatham Grove Company alongside producing partner Tarell Alvin McCraney. He is also an Artistic Associate at The Young Vic Theatre in London and at the Vineyard Theatre in New York.
CHRIS PERFETTI stars as a series regular on the award-winning ABC comedy series “Abbott Elementary.” Perfetti starred in the world premiere of King James at Steppenwolf and CTG, originating the role of “Matt” to great acclaim. NY Theater: Moscow x5 (MCC; OCC Honor; Drama Desk and Drama League nominations); The Low Road (The Public), Six Degrees of Separation (Broadway); Everybody (Signature Theater); Picnic (Broadway); The Tempest (Delacorte Theater); The Tutors (2nd Stage); Cloud Nine (Atlantic Theater Company); Sons of the Prophet (Roundabout; Theater World Award). Other TV appearances include: “Looking” (HBO), “The Night Of” (HBO), “The Resident” (FOX), “In the Dark” (CW), “Bonding” (Netflix), “What We Do in the Shadows” (FX), “Crossbones” (NBC) “Next Caller” (NBC), “Bull” (CBS) and “Gotham” (FOX). In film, Perfetti has recently been seen in The Virtuoso, Minyan, The Surrogate and Before I Go.
KHLOE JANEL (DJ) is beyond grateful to be making their Manhattan Theatre Club debut! Their recent theatre credits include King James (Center Theatre Group, Steppenwolf Theatre), Hatfield & McCoy (House Theatre of Chicago), Fly Honey Show (The Den Theatre) and Haymarket (Underscore Theatre). Their film credits include I Used To Go Here, which is now streaming on HBO Max. Their television credits include “Easy,” “The Chi,” “Empire,” “Chicago Fire,” and “Chicago P.D.” Gratitude and love for my mothers, brothers, chosen family and ancestors. Khloejanel.com @Khloe_Janel
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RAJIV JOSEPH (Playwright). Rajiv Joseph’s play Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo was a 2010 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama and was also awarded a grant for Outstanding New American Play by the National Endowment for the Arts. He has twice won the Obie Award for Best New American Play, first in 2016 with Guards at the Taj (also a 2016 Lortel Winner for Best Play) and then in 2018 with Describe the Night.Other plays include King James, Letters of Suresh, Archduke, Gruesome Playground Injuries, Animals Out of Paper, The Lake Effect, The North Pool and Mr. Wolf. Joseph has been awarded artistic grants from the Whiting Foundation, United States Artists and the Harold & Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust. He served for three years in the Peace Corps in Senegal.
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KENNY LEON (Director) is a Tony Award-winning director who also has been honored with The Actors Fund Medal of Honor, an Obie Award and an NAACP Image Award. Mr. Leon is also a proud honoree of the George Abbott Lifetime Achievement for American Theatre. Broadway: A Soldier’s Play; American Son; Children of a Lesser God; Holler If Ya Hear Me; A Raisin in the Sun; The Mountaintop; Stick Fly; August Wilson’s Fences, Gem of the Ocean; and Radio Golf. Off-Broadway: The Underlying Chris, Everybody’s Ruby, Emergence-See! (The Public); Smart People (Second Stage). Television: “Colin in Black & White,” “4400,” “Amend: The Fight for America,” “American Son” (adapted for Netflix), “Hairspray Live!”, “The Wiz Live!”, “Steel Magnolias,” “Dynasty,” “In My Dreams.” Author: Take You Wherever You Go. Artistic Director Emeritus, Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Senior Resident Director: Roundabout Theatre Company.
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