PTC stages the Utah professional premiere of the acclaimed comedy celebrating friendship, loyalty, and basketball.
in[SALT LAKE CITY, UT FEBRUARY 24, 2026] — Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC), Utah’s premier professional theatre company in residence at the University of Utah, presents the Utah professional premiere of King James in the Meldrum Theatre at Einar Nielsen Field House from March 20-April 4. The acclaimed comedy, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph, is described as follows:
LeBron James isn’t just a basketball superstar—he was Cleveland’s hero. As one of the greatest players in NBA history, his impact on the city was undeniable throughout his years on the court there. In King James, Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) crafts a funny and deeply poignant story about two friends whose lives are forever shaped by their shared devotion to their idol. Exploring the power of sports, loyalty, and human connection, King James brings the spirit of athleticism back to the Einar Nielsen Field House.
“There’s something especially meaningful about producing King James at the Meldrum Theatre, inside the space that once served as the University of Utah’s field house,” said Artistic Director Karen Azenberg. “It’s the perfect setting for a play that centers on basketball—but even more so on friendship. This is a smart, funny, and deeply relatable story about things that bring people together—in this case, LeBron James. We’re proud to have assembled a stellar cast and creative team of accomplished professionals to bring this production to life for our audiences.”
“King James captures something essential about how shared passions—whether for a basketball team or a singular moment in time—shape our relationships and our sense of belonging,” added Managing Director Adrian Budhu. “At Pioneer Theatre Company, we believe theatre should feel like a home for our community: a place where stories spark connection, conversation, and reflection.”
CAST & CREATIVE
Comprising the cast are two actors making their respective PTC debuts. Eli Mayer* portrays Matt, a privileged, restless young man who bonds with his new friend Shawn over basketball while navigating his own search for purpose and connection. Mayer’s credits include Amid Falling Walls (Off-Broadway’s National Yiddish Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof (Atlanta Opera/Alliance Theatre), and Ride the Cyclone (Arena Stage & McCarter Theatre).
Khiry Walker* plays Shawn, a passionate and devoted Cleveland Cavaliers fan whose tough exterior gives way to a big heart and an unwavering loyalty to his team and the people he cares about. Walker’s recent credits include Godspeed (DCPA); Sally and Tom and Much Ado About Nothing (The Public); Blues for an Alabama Sky (Keen), and Three Musketeers (CTH).
The production will feature direction by Miriam Laube, in her PTC debut. A first-generation American actor, director, and producer, she was born and raised in Pittsburgh. Her recent directing credits include Much Ado About Nothing at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Queen at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, and The Tempest at Santa Cruz Shakespeare. Miriam serves as a Text and Acting Coach in the Vocal Arts Department at The Juilliard School.
Laube is joined on the Creative Team by Scenic Designer Jo Winiarski (PTC’s Jersey Boys, Souvenir); Costume Designer K.L. Alberts (now in his 38th season at PTC, with Souvenir being his most recently designed production); Lighting Designer Marcella Barbeau (Into the Woods and The Merry Wives of Windsor at Oregon Shakespeare Festival); and Sound Designer Paul James Prendergast (Broadway’s All the Way and The Great Society). Casting is by Geoff Josselson, CSA. Emily Roth* is Production Stage Manager.
TICKETS
King James runs at the Meldrum Theatre at the Einar Nielsen Field House from March 20-April 4, 2026. Tickets are now on sale at PioneerTheatre.org or by calling the PTC Box Office at 801-581-6961.
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PRESS CONTACT
Joshua Black
Director of Marketing and Communications
Joshua.Black@PTC.Utah.edu
INTERVIEWS: Theatre staff, members of the cast, and creative team can be made available for interviews. Please contact Joshua Black to arrange.
TICKETING INFORMATION
King James
by Rajiv Joseph
King James is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service imprint. (www.Dramatists.com)
WHEN
March 20-April 4, 2026
TIMES
Monday – Thursday, 7:00 PM
Friday and Saturday, 7:30 PM
Saturday, 2:00 PM
WHERE
King James will play the Meldrum Theatre at the Einar Nielsen Field House
375 South 1400 East, Salt Lake City
PRICES
$44 – $57
Students K – 12 or ages 5-18 are half-price Monday – Thursday
Curtain Call for All (“name your own price”) performances: March 20-April 4. Available starting Monday, March 16 by calling the PTC Box Office at 801-581-6961.
ASL-Interpreted performance: Monday, March 30 at 7:00 PM
Discounts are also available for University of Utah students, staff, and faculty. Visit PioneerTheatre.org/UniversityofUtah for more details.
MORE INFO
The PTC Box Office is located in the Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre: 300 S 1400 E. Tickets are also available one hour prior to showtime at MeldrumTheatre at the Einar Nielsen Field House.
Box Office: 801-581-6961
Open 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday – Friday
PTC Show Listing: King James
CAST
Matt: Eli Mayer*
Shawn: Khiry Walker*
CREATIVE TEAM
Director: Miriam Laube
Scenic Designer: Jo Winiarski
Costume Designer: K.L. Alberts
Lighting Designer: Marcella Barbeau
Sound Designer: Paul James Prendergast
Casting: Geoff Josselson, CSA
Production Stage Manager: Emily Roth*
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
ABOUT PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY (PTC)
Now celebrating its 64th season, the award-winning PTC is Utah’s premier professional theatre company and a leading arts organization of the West. Led by Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Managing Director Adrian Budhu, PTC presents world-class productions that celebrate diversity in culture and society, and serve as the connecting bridge between art and scholarship as an affiliate of the University of Utah. Notable productions include the regional premieres of Les Misérables, Sting’s The Last Ship, and Frank Wildhorn’s The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as the world premieres of Shucked (the first-ever Broadway tryout in Utah), A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, The Messenger by Jeff Talbott, and Ass by Ellen Simon. For more information, visit PioneerTheatre.org.