What really happened on April 3, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee? Did Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sense that he would soon die? Did he struggle with the guilt whether he should be at his home in Atlanta with his family or continue with what he believed was his purpose in life as a civil rights leader? Did he feel torn between the two? Could he rest at night with death threats to his family or himself?
The Mountaintop is an Olivier Awatdwinning play showing a fictional possibility of what could have happened the night before Dr. King’s death beginning at his room at the Lorraine Motel the night before he was assassinated. Previously that day, Dr. King had delivered his speech “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” to the people of Memphis.
The Mountaintop opens with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. entering his hotel room, exhausted from his speech and a day of marching with the sanitation workers of Memphis. One of his friends is suppose to be purchasing him some cigarettes. Between the exhilaration of the day, the physical and emotional tiredness, and a little guilt for not being with his family, he can’t sleep even though he needs it.
Donte Plunkett masterfully portrays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Catie Zaleski is Camae, the maid. Both of these performers are superb and it is difficult to realize that they are saying their lines, not just talking. Denise Chapman is the director who somehow manages to make each individual in the audience feel as if they are in the motel room also. Assisting backstage in the stage manager, Gabi Rima, costume designer is Amanda Fehlner, sound designer and electrician is John Gibilisco, composer is Alfonzo Lee Jones, properties is Darin Koehler, lighting designer is Herman Montero with scenic designer being Jim Othuse with numerous other assistants, staff, and volunteers.
The setting is Dr. King’s motel room, rather ordinary, a little dirty with a little seediness that almost creates a musky smell.
Once in a while I see a play that is perfect. There are likely flaws that the audience doesn’t recognize, but the play somehow communicates with every person in the audience, creating a special intimacy between the audience on stage and off. The Howard Drew Theater at the Omaha Community Playhouse is the perfect venue for this production.
The play is aimed at a mature audience with adult language, racial tension, and talk of the inequities of society, violence and societal inequities along with the concepts of mortality, destiny and legacy. The play lasts about ninety-minutes without an intermission.
The Mountaintop opens with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. entering his hotel room, exhausted from his speech and a day of marching with the sanitation workers of Memphis. One of his friends is suppose to be purchasing him some cigarettes. Between the exhilaration of the day, the physical and emotional tiredness, and a little guilt for not being with his family, he can’t sleep even though he needs it.
Donte Plunkett masterfully portrays Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Catie Zaleski is Camae, the maid. Both of these performers are superb and it is difficult to realize that they are saying their lines, not just talking. Denise Chapman is the director who somehow manages to make each individual in the audience feel as if they are in the motel room also. Assisting backstage in the stage manager, Gabi Rima, costume designer is Amanda Fehlner, sound designer and electrician is John Gibilisco, composer is Alfonzo Lee Jones, properties is Darin Koehler, lighting designer is Herman Montero with scenic designer being Jim Othuse with numerous other assistants, staff, and volunteers.
The setting is Dr. King’s motel room, rather ordinary, a little dirty with a little seediness that almost creates a musky smell.
Once in a while I see a play that is perfect. There are likely flaws that the audience doesn’t recognize, but the play somehow communicates with every person in the audience, creating a special intimacy between the audience on stage and off. The Howard Drew Theater at the Omaha Community Playhouse is the perfect venue for this production.
The play is aimed at a mature audience with adult language, racial tension, and talk of the inequities of society, violence and societal inequities along with the concepts of mortality, destiny and legacy. The play lasts about ninety-minutes without an intermission.
The Mountaintop continues at the Omaha Playhouse through May 27th with performance on Thursday’s through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Omaha Community Playhouse Box Office located at 6915 Cass Street in Omaha, by ball (402) 553-0800, or online at OmahaPlayhouse.com or www.TicketOmaha.com. Single adult tickets are $24 with $14 being the student rate. Ticket prices can change based on the date, seat, and demand. Special group rates are available for 12 or more. Contact the Box Office for any questions.
See The Mountaintop to relive the event of fifty-years ago of a man struggling with his mortality, his destiny, and his legacy.
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