Let it be known from the outset that “King James,” the current show at Shadowland Stages is not about kings and queens and princes and princesses. It’s about a different kind of royalty. It’s about two guys who come together as friends over their sincere and dedicated appreciation of basketball star Lebron James.

Let it also be known, that you don’t have to be a basketball fan to thoroughly enjoy this show. You don’t even have to know anything about basketball because there’s a synopsis of the time period in the program.

“King James,” written by Rajiv Joseph and skillfully directed by Jammie Patton, unfolds during the period of 2003 through 2016. It was during this time that James was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the face of the franchise, but not the champion that was expected.

While he led the “Cavs” to the finals in 2007, they didn’t win. Some people subscribed to the theory that the franchise didn’t “build a team around him.” In 2010 James left to play for the Miami Heat, leaving most Cleveland fans bitter and disappointed.

Ah, but our hero returned in 2014, and in 2016 gave Cleveland their first major professional sports title in over 50 years.

And that’s pretty much all you need to know about Lebron “King” James to enjoy this show.

The play opens with Matt working at a wine bar. He’s got a full season of Cleveland Cavaliers tickets to sell. Great seats, two for each game. He needs the money to make good on some bad investments. Shawn stops by and desperately wants those tickets, but not for the price Matt wants and needs. They haggle over the tickets, and they bond over their shared adoration for the Cavs newest player, Lebron James.

What follows is some good-natured ribbing, coupled with some soul-searing bickering, and one especially intense gut-wrenching scene.

Because the play takes place between 2004 and 2016, the characters have time to grow and mature. But with that maturity there are also some realizations and biases.

Actors Ithamar Francois as Shawn and Matthew Zimmerman as Matt display what can easily be called a masterclass in acting.

Zimmerman’s Matt starts out as unsophisticated, even naïve in the matter of modern technology. He’s a nebbish - aimless and seemingly innocent. But simmering beneath the surface is  so much more and Zimmerman’s development is convincingly surprising.

Francois’ Shawn is further along on the maturity scale. He reacts to change more easily and with more acceptance, knows where he wants to go in life, and accepts what life brings along the way. But there’s change afoot for Shawn as well, and Francois’s reveal is splendid to behold.

Patton’s direction is flawless, smooth and subtle. The play can be seen as just two men taking time to get to know each other, becoming friends, having disagreements, and working through some rough spots.

All that is blended with some wonderful comedy, heartfelt passion and raw emotion.

Bravo to Set Designers Brendan Burke (who doubles as Assistant Stage Manager) and Peter Johnson (who doubles as Technical Director). The versatile set starts out as a wine bar and transforms into a curio shop.

Kudos also to Stage Manager Aidan Countryman and his assistant Molly Emmens for a smooth and interesting set change during intermission.

And a hearty “well done” to everyone who compiled props and scenic elements.

“King James” plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. now through July 20 at the Shadowland Stages Studio, 14 Market Street in Ellenville. It’s only around for two weeks, so get your tickets now by calling 845-647-5511.