Chris Perfetti on Landing ‘Abbott Elementary’ and Relating to LeBron With Off-Broadway Play ‘King James’

variety.com:

Ethan Shanfeld For Chris Perfetti, “Abbott Elementary” was not just another pandemic-era script on his desk. “I first read the pilot in the spring of 2020, and it was in no small way a profound moment,” he tells Variety.

The actor, who plays the enthusiastic, delightfully corny BFF to Quinta Brunson’s Janine in the hit ABC sitcom about public school teachers, was sitting on a park bench in Atlanta, laughing to himself. “I remember chuckling out loud and looking around me and being very aware of if I was making anyone uncomfortable,” says Perfetti. “I had a strong feeling that if anybody had the guts to make this thing and make it right, it would be great.” Less than two years later, Perfetti was on stage at the Screen Actors Guild Awards accepting a win for best ensemble in a comedy series. “I’m still getting used to all the nice people saying hello to me on the street in Brooklyn,” Perfetti says of his newfound fame. “I’m just trying to soak it all in.” In between seasons of “Abbott,” Perfetti is currently starring in an off-Broadway production of “King James,” Rajiv Joseph’s latest play about two men whose friendship develops over the course of 13 years in tandem with LeBron James’ basketball career.

Perfetti rang up Variety to discuss the award-winning classroom comedy as well as his starring turn in “King James,” which is running through June 18 at Manhattan Theatre Club. As someone who had become familiar with you via “Abbott Elementary,” I couldn’t help but think about how long the monologues are in “King James,” and how different that must be in terms of memorizing lines. It’s not as hard as you think.