By Chelsea Bohannon, Lawrenceville, Ga. | Atlanta audiences are invited to experience the poignantly re-imagined story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his final moments on earth in Aurora Theatre’s riveting production of The Mountaintop, playing Jan. 12 to Feb. 17, 2017.
The 2010 Laurence Olivier Award-winning drama, written by Katori Hall, explores the thunderous night of April 3, 1968, when the civil rights leader enters the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn., never to return again. What happened in Room 306 imaginatively comes to life, as humor and history combine to give audiences a brilliant portrayal and intimate look at the man behind the Civil Rights Movement.
Ann-Carol Pence, Aurora Theatre associate producer, says: “With the volume
of plays in existence, I find it surprising that it is still so difficult to find hopeful plays about Southerners and even more rare are plays about Christians. The Mountaintop is a play about one of the most famous Georgians in American History. He was educated; he was a Southerner; he was strong in his faith. And most importantly, he was an agent of change.”
She continued: “This is a play that poetically reminds us that all of us are more alike than different. These are the very plays that are capable of both broadening our audience and changing our community.”
Directed by two-time Suzi Award winner and Clark Atlanta professor, Eric J. Little, The Mountaintop takes place after Dr. King delivers his memorable “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech and retires to his room at the Lorraine Hotel. When Camae, the mysterious maid with a much greater mission in mind, arrives at room 306 with a cup of coffee for the exhausted Dr. King, the lightning from their conversation crackles more than the storm brewing outside. As the reverend reflects on the unwelcomed news and chaos of the world around him, Dr. King is forced to confront both his legacy and destiny.
Two-time Suzi Bass Award winner and nine-time nominee Neal Ghant will depict the valiant Dr. King, while Cynthia Barker will take on the role of the mystifying maid Camae. Behind the scenes, the production team will consist of award-winning design duo Moriah and Isabel Curley-Clay (Set and Costumes), Thom Jenkins (Sound), Andre C. Allen (Lighting), Samantha Eubanks (Props) and Sarah Thomson (Scenic Painter).
The Mountaintop is presented January 12 through February 17. A discount matinee will be offered on Wednesday, February 1 at 10 a.m. with tickets starting at $16. Regular tickets range from $20-$55 and can be purchased online at tickets.auroratheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 678-226-6222. For more information on this production or other programming, visit auroratheatre.com.
Regular show times are as follows:
- Tuesday through Friday: 8 p.m.;
- Saturday: 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and
- Sunday: 2:30 p.m.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
Follow Us