“CLEVER IN CONSTRUCTION… QUICK IN DELIVERY.”
PicksInSix® Review | Guest Contributor Ronald Keaton

“KING JAMES” is a surprisingly deceptive, complex play that works at Steppenwolf through April 10. It’s written by ensemble member Rajiv Joseph, staged by the excellent, award-winning director Kenny Leon, and charming in how it sneaks up on you with the tale it tells. As the audience enters, it is greeted by music that might be played in a sports arena, complete with DJ (a fun appearance throughout the evening by Khloe Janel, who says not a word), accompanied by dancing lights and the audience clapping along. The sheer craft of the theatre itself is on full display through an effective, two-headed stage design by Tony Award-winning designer Todd Rosenthal that rotates between acts. One side is a lovely little wine bar; the other is a full-of-items pawn shop.