‘King James’ at GSP – Entertaining, Clever, and Heartwarming

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Karen Nowosad
Blake Morris and Doug Harris in King James at George Street Playhouse –
Photo credit – T. Charles Erickson

King James – George Street Playhouse – Review

One of the great gifts a person can have in life is a good friendship. Once found, we are fortunate if it continues to develop and thrive for a long time. This is what happens in the play King James, currently playing at George Street Playhouse. Written by Rajiv Joseph, the show centers around a friendship which develops due to the amazing career of NBA superstar LeBron James. The friendship is between two young men who both love basketball. But it becomes more than that as it goes on.

Under the direction of Ryan George, the play is entertaining, clever, and heartwarming. Prepare to bring out your tissues as the issues the friends face reach their dramatic conclusion.

The setting for King James is at several locations in Cleveland, Ohio in 2004, 2010, 2014, and 2016. The play is divided into four scenes which correspond to those four years.

Great Sets and Video Enhance the Production

If you are a fan of LeBron James, you will enjoy seeing some of his career highlights on videos that play on a large drop down screen, center stage. It starts with the time when LeBron was finishing up his high school career. A sports commentator comes on and says “LeBron is the best high school player he has ever seen.“

He was highly regarded as a fabulous player coming into the NBA. So when he signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, excitement runs high especially since the team had not had a major championship in many years.

The Story Begins in LeBron’s Rookie Year

Many of the selected scenes correlate to the moments which help develop the friendship between Matt (Doug Harris) and Shawn (Blake Morris). These two actors both turn in very fine performances as they bring the story to life.

The two meet in a wine bar owned by Matt and his family. Matt has a set of season tickets to the Cavalier’s games. Suddenly, these tickets are in demand at high prices because of the notoriety that LeBron brings. Shawn comes in hoping to make the purchase.

They work to negotiate a price. Shawn gets the tickets then confesses that he has never been to a game. And so the two begin their friendship. The two scenes which make up the first half of the show cover 2004 – 201o.

Classic scenes of LeBron‘s attempts with the Cavaliers to win the NBA championship are shown on the screen. It’s frustrating to watch how close they come. Not only do Matt and Shawn share their love of basketball, but they get to know each about each other’s lives. All seems well. However, eventually they both realize they have to move on from their devotion to LeBron.

Photo Credit – T. Charles Erikson

LeBron James Move to Miami

The frustration of not winning leads LeBron to accept an offer to move and join the Miami Heat. People will remember that time as very controversial. It would be fair to say that people in Cleveland were stunned that he walked away.

Thankfully, for the two friends, they have each other to go through this time together. And this really shows the impact of the importance of friendship can have. The two men grew closer over the years. They’ve gone to games together and they know each other’s families so when this disappointment occurs, they’re able to handle it together.

The play is cleverly constructed to show the advancement within the friends lives as LeBron is seeking his own. Matt eventually takes on the responsibility of his parents of his mother‘s antique shop. Shawn moves on to college and he wants to get into film work. And the audience can’t help but root for both of them because they both show how hard they work.

The King Returns to Cleveland

Finally, the moment comes when LeBron announces that he’s coming back to Cleveland to play ball. It has been 50 years with no championship. Will LeBron bring the hope of a win on his return?

People wonder if he will be accepted back by the public. When the two friends discuss it, Matt says “LeBron lacks class. He should’ve known his place.” At that moment the friendship is injured. Shawn takes the remarks to heart. He decides it is time for him to move to Los Angeles in order to pursue his writing career.

If you follow basketball, you know that LeBron James returned to Cleveland in 2014. He lead the Cavaliers to their first-ever championship in 2016. These are the years covered in the second part of the play.

Eventually Matt and Shawn get together again. There are bumps to overcome. Both have changed in those years perhaps in a sense paralleling LeBron James as well.

Go to See King James

The gift of a good friendship is one that is a blessing. The end of this play displays that very concept. You will want to see how the friends overcome time, distance, and big changes in their lives. But through it all, their friendship wins out.

King James runs now through Sunday April 6, 2025 at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center at 11 Livingston Avenue , New Brunswick, NJ. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit George Street Playhouse’s website.

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‘Garside’s Career’ Highlights a Big Talker

Posted on February 26, 2025 by Karen Nowosad
Daniel Marconi in a scene from Mint Theater Company’s New York Premiere of GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson.
Photo credit: Maria Baranova

Garside’s Career – A Review

The Mint Theater Company is presenting the New York Premiere of Garside’s Career. Written by Harold Brighouse, the play has a limited engagement run at Theater Row through March 15.

Matt Dickson directs a splendid cast in a show that scores high marks for the acting and overall production. Written in the earlier part of the 1900’s, the play had an extended run in Boston in 1919. Shortly after, a New York production was announced, but never happened. Even in the U.K. this political satire seems to have completely disappeared.

But as the Mint Theater Company does so well, it identifies a play whose theme rings true today. As stated by the Company’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Bank,

One of the reasons I was drawn to producing older plays in the first place is they can show how today’s ‘alarming issues’ have usually been around for ages.  Working on them (or seeing them) helps put things in perspective.

Although Garside’s Career was written 110 years ago, the characters, story, and theme are remarkably visible today. The main character, Peter Garside ascends the society and class structure very rapidly. He does it with the substantial well earned university degree in engineering. But his secret weapon is his ability to do public speaking and have an impact on his audiences. He sees himself as a man on the rise due to his oratory skills. They later become part of his downfall.

The Story of a Man Aiming for Success

The play opens in the Midlanton cottage of Mrs. Garside (Amelia White) and her son Peter (Daniel Marconi). There is an air of anticipation as Mrs. Garside and Margaret Shawcross (Madeline Seidman) wait for Peter to bring news about a recent exam he took. Mrs. Garside is very enthusiastic about her son’s chances of success with this exam; Margaret not as much.

These two attitudes become important to the plot of the show because Margaret provides a very needed balance in Peter’s life. Mom keeps him well supplied with compliments and Margaret brings him back to real life.

The news they are waiting to hear is good. Peter arrives to tell the ladies that he is now an honors man of Midlanton University. As they celebrate, mom lets Peter know that Margaret doubted his abilities to pass but she never did. Such a good soul to pass that information along!

Daniel Marconi and Amelia White in a scene from Mint Theater Company’s New York Premiere of GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson.
Photo credit: Maria Baranova

The Celebration Continues as More People Arrive

Good news gets to travel quickly as a group of men from a labor group arrive. The group includes Denis O’Callaghan (Erik Gratton), Karl Marx Jones (Michael Schantz), and Ned Applegarth (Paul Niebanck). They celebrate Peter’s success and ask him to run for Parliament to represent their Party.

Michael Schantz, Erik Gratton, Paul Niebanck, Daniel Marconi, Madeline Seidman and Amelia White GARSIDE’S CAREER Photo Credit: Maria Baranova

The men stress that Peter has a grand specking ability which is important to getting out with the public. And that speaking ability is already something that Margaret is concerned about as she previously urged Peter to do more writing rather than speaking.

However, Peter feels confident about his “silver tongue” which brings with it an insatiable fascination with his power to persuade: “You don’t know the glorious sensation of holding a crowd in the hollow of your hand, mastering it, doing what you like with it.” Margaret summarizes her concern “The itch to speak is like the itch to drink, except that it’s cheaper to talk yourself.”

As Peter wins his seat he moves to London. His ability to provide powerful orations is still a driving force inside of him.

London Brings New Opportunities and New Challenges

Arriving in London, Peter meets the Mottram family including somewhat flirtatious Gladys (Sara Hader), Freddie (Avery Whitted) and Lady Mottram (Melissa Maxwell). He makes visits out frequently earning money for his speeches. And this sits well with this new crowd in London.

The sets here are more lavish and Peter’s quarters are also more elaborate than his home area. When his mother arrives, the differences of class and status are on display. Peter’s preference for a higher life cause him to go out on these more frequent speaking engagements. Is it the money he makes or the thrill of igniting the crowd? Perhaps both.

Sara Haider, Avery Whitted, and Melissa Maxwell in a scene from GARSIDE’S CAREER by Harold Brighouse, directed by Matt Dickson.
Photo credit: Maria Baranova

It backfires on him when he is confronted by the group who backed his run for the Parliament seat. His lack of attendance in Parliament due to these speaking engagements does not sit well. He resigns his seat and returns home and back to Margaret.

Mint Theater Company’s Superb Production Brings the Story Home

The design and execution of the production of this play by Mint Theater Company adds much to the story. Their sets, acting, and even the way they move the scenery allow audience members to see the plot unfolding very carefully.

Several songs are used to emphasize what is happening. One very strong one is a song about Solidarity which the group who is backing Peter sings with great vigor.

Casting for this play brings together a strong ensemble of actors. Leading is Daniel Marconi who provides a very convincing depiction of Peter Garside, a man who wants it all and loves to ignite a crowd. Amelia White’s portrayal of Mrs. Garside provides many amusing moments throughout the play. Madeline Seidman plays Margaret Shawcross as a sensible and level headed individual throughout the entire play. She gives that stability that Peter needs.

Go to See Garside’s Career

If you are a theater lover who enjoys well produced and well acted plays, then make it a point to attend a performance of Garside’s Career. The play runs until March 15, 2025.

Tickets may be purchased online at minttheater.org, by phone by calling 212/714-2442, ext. 45 (Tuesday – Sunday from 12 noon to 5PM), or in person at Theatre Row Box Office (located at 410 West 42nd Street). Service fees will apply for online or phone orders.

Performances will be Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday evenings at 7pm with matinees Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2pm. Added performances Wednesday evenings 2/19 & 3/12 at 7pm and Thursday matinee 3/13 at 2pm. No performance on 2/21; no evening performance on 3/15.

Theatre Row, is located at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues),

For more information, visit the Mint Theater Company website.

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Mystic Pizza is a Delicious Slice of Theater at Paper Mill Playhouse

Posted on February 11, 2025 by Karen Nowosad

Mystic Pizza Review

Photo Credit – Jeremy Daniel 2025

A new musical, Mystic Pizza, is giving theater goers very enjoyable entertainment at the Paper Mill Playhouse. At the performance I attended, people were singing along to some familiar tunes, smiling and applauding enthusiastically. Mystic Pizza is based on the classic 1988 movie of the same name starring Julia Roberts. This production adapts from that movie with a book written by Sandy Rustin. If you are a fan of the movie, you will see some changes, but the basic story remains intact.

Casey Hushion directs an outstanding cast who give high energy performances as they sing and dance their way into your heart. The spirited dance numbers use choreography by Connor Gallagher. Well designed sets by Nate Bertone have good details which help them transform easily throughout the performance. The band is located on an elevated platform where the music arranged by Carmel Dean receives direction by Kristin Stowell.

Mystic Pizza celebrates the 80s and 90s. The music and costumes are all relatable to that time. But this show is a lot more than that. It is a beautiful salute to friendships and all the joys they can bring. It also salutes small town life and the happiness of having a community come together and support each other. Additionally, it provides a nice acknowledgment from that community to a small business which is also a part of the fabric of the town.

Stories of Life in Small Town Mystic, Connecticut

Three long time girlfriends come together to celebrate the wedding of one of their own. We are introduced to Josephine “JoJo” (Deánna Giulietti), Katherine “Kat” (Alaina Anderson), and Daisy (Krystina Alabado). Theses three main characters have superb chemistry together as they work to figure out what life is all about and what they want to do. Their singing voices are strong and their harmonies are lovely to listen to.

Deánna Giulietti (Josephine “JoJo” Barboza), Alaina Anderson (Katherine “Kat” Arujo), and Krystina Alabado (Daisy Arujo)

But the wedding between JoJo and longtime boyfriend Bill (F. Michael Hayne) does not go as planned. At the ceremony, the priest gives great emphasis to the union of the two being forever, eternal, etc. These “forever” messages are delivered in a loud voice with a humorous twist by James Hindman. The reality of entering marriage hits JoJo at the altar and she passes out and cancels the rest of the ceremony. It’s not that she doesn’t love Bill. She does, But she is conflicted with wanting to feel that her life will be her own and not just one of being Bill’s wife.

Now in a small town, news of the unfulfilled nuptials spreads fast. The community introduces itself by singing John Mellencamp”s “Small Town” as scenes of activities unfold. And this song is cleverly used with two Reprises in this first act as new emphasis on life of the community unfolds.

Romance Enters Each of the Friends’ Lives

An interesting part of the story is the way each of the three friends have romances enter their lives. These romances are significant because they change each of them.

JoJo and Bill work on their situation even as Bill’s band, the Lobster Rolls, perform at the Peg Leg Club. This band doesn’t do much to develop the plot but it does provide good chances to include some songs and dance number. Bill has a fishing boat business and that does develop the plot more than the band does.

Kat works for a management group that rents out properties. This is how she meets Tim Travers (Ben Fankhauser). Kat works several jobs to get enough money to go to Yale where she has been accepted. But her meeting Tim throws her off balance and suddenly she’s in a relationship. Fankhauser does a fine job creating Tim as a character. He includes some little signs right from the start about him being a cad. So when Kat ends up heartbroken, its not a total surprise.

Daisy is the sexy one of the three friends. She isn’t pleased with her life but isn’t sure of how to change it. It is only after she meets Charles “Charlie” Gordon Windsor, Jr. (Vincent Michael) that more focus comes in. This is one area of the show that delves into social and class structure and Daisy learns much from it. There is a fine outcome in all of this for Daisy at the end and she finishes with new dreams and hopes.

The Mystic Pizza Shop

All three of the girls work as waitresses at the Mystic Pizza Shop owned and run by Leona Silvia (Jennifer Fouché). The character Leona is warm and nurturing also with a great voice. She has a big secret: she will not disclose the ingredients of the sauce she uses on the pizza. And that keeps it special and it gives Mystic Pizza its distinctive flair.

However, the shop is in trouble. In the off season, business is very slow and Leona is having a difficult time making a living. So the three girls devise a plan to get the local television restaurant critic, the Fireside Gourmet, to come and review the pizza. Eventually, their plan works and the critic comes to the shop for a pizza. Again we get to see some humorous acting from James Hindman in his second role in the show. His visit and later his commentary on tv delivered directly to the audience provide some very funny moments in the show. The results of his review make major changes for Leona and the three friends.

Alaina Anderson (Katherine “Kat” Arujo), Krystina Alabado (Daisy Arujo), Jennifer Fouché (Leona Silvia), and Deánna Giulietti (Josephine “JoJo” Barboza)

The scenes in the pizza shop are amongst the best parts of the show. Would like to have seen even more.

Music Abounds

If you are a fan of pop music from the 1980s and 90s, you will have a great time listening to all the music this show uses to tell its story. In addition to “Small Town,” audiences are treated to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” “Addicted to Love,” and a unique version of “Into the Mystic.” All of these are in the first act.

The second act opens with “Manic Monday” sung by The Lobster Rolls. As things get more serious for the Mystic Pizza Shop the song “All I Need is a Miracle” comes in. The show ends on a strong positive note with “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”

There are other songs that add to the enjoyment of seeing this show provided by the band.

To Go to the Show

This is one you don’t want to miss so grab your tickets now! Get them at the Paper Mill Playhouse Box Office or online at papermill.org

Mystic Pizza runs 2 hours, 20 minutes which includes one intermission.

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