Mountaintop, now playing on Broadway for a limited time, is a play about a re-imagined day before Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis. The play stars Samuel Jackson as MLK near the end of his journey and Angela Bassett as an unusual visitor on a mission. This play portrays MLK as a man. Not the legend or great civil rights leader... but a man weary of the burden on his shoulder and fully aware of his role in the movement. This is not the typical portrayal of MLK, but Jackson does a great job bring his unique talents to make MLK human... an every man's man. Bassett matches the stature of the iconic Jackson as a southern chamber maid who was fated to meet MLK on April 2nd 1968, the day before his assassination. The two superstars revisits the Ike and Tina chemistry on stage that gain them critical acclaim in the 1993 film, "Whats Love Got to Do with It".
A few short facts
-No intermission, go to bathroom first.
-No other supporting actors. Just these two on stage... why dilute a good thing.
-Its a stageplay not a musical. But it keeps your attention. Good writing (thank the playwright Katori Hall from London)
For more info visit the The Mountaintop Play Website below
http://www.themountaintopplay.com/
I really enjoyed the play for several reasons.
1. These actors rarely do stage work now a days so seeing these two masters of the craft doing live is a true joy.
2. Some of the creative minds behind last year's hit Fences, starring Denzel Washingtion, are part of the creative team of Mountaintop. Kenny Leon (director) and Branford Marsalis (Original Music) both lend there considerable talents to this play.
3. Its funny and poignant throughout. And by the end you can see that actor Samuel L Jackson disappear and he really transforms into the essence of Dr. King.
There really weren't many negatives but you should warn that this stars Samuel L Jackson and he is known for his signature way with a four letter word or two... and Mrs. Bassett can certainly hold her own in this respect as well. And there are times that you cringe... and times that you have a guilty laugh or two. But in the end of this journey it all comes together to tell and wonderful story about the realization of ones destiny.
This play serves as a reminder of an legendary figure in US (and the world) that help move our nation along its journey to that distant Mountaintop.
Seeing these two made me wonder, what other famous movie actor would you like to see return to Broadway in a play?
S.F Guru
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