The Mountaintop Analysis

The Mountaintop is a unique one act play based on Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s last night before he was assassinated. The entire play takes place in a single setting, room 306 of the Lorraine Motel. The production brings an interesting perspective into play by introducing a female supporting act that at first seemed to represent one of King’s infamous mistresses, but turned out to be an angel who was sent to take King up to heaven. The play covers many aspects of King’s life and attempts to show him on a more personal level. The main theme of the play seemed to be based around humanizing King, showing elements of his life many people didn’t know about. Overall the play had good composition, many historical references, and quality acting.
I found the concept of the play to be quite interesting. I learned new things about Martin Luther King such as his smoking habit and that he was a womanizer, both of

which were presented many times in the play. The issue we discussed in class of Reverend King’s role being played by a white actor did come to the forefront as the play started. At the beginning of the play I wasn’t certain if the actor was portraying King, or was representing someone else involved in King’s life. As the play progressed the actor did an excellent job portraying King, and made it easy to understand who he was representing. In my opinion, he embraced the role very well. Although, I do not agree with using a white Martin Luther King, it did not take away from the brilliant acting performance from Robert Branch. The female supporting actress also did an excellent job embracing her role and was passionate in the portrayal of Camae.
The biggest knock I have on the play is the beginning. It was difficult to understand; however, after the rough beginning the play progressed well and was easy to follow. I found much of the play to be an insightful synopsis of Reverend King, which allows for a greater appreciation of who he was and what he did for the world. The play also had many classic theatrical elements that contributed to the enjoyment of the play for me. Items such as the numerous elements of humor, allusion to the cell phone, and the various monologues by Camae. I would recommend the play to many students, especially those who are learning about Reverend King.
I enjoyed the play; moreover, I found it interesting to learn about a different side of Martin Luther King, especially since I have a limited knowledge of Reverend King to begin with.

Some areas of the play were questionable, but I commend the actors for doing a terrific job with their performance. This play would be beneficial for high school American history students. Hence, it allowed me to build a greater appreciation for Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. I wish I would have been able to see this performance in high school. The concept of the play was very intriguing and would appeal to anyone interested in history, not just civil rights historians.
The Mountaintop involved many historical references, good composition, and excellent acting. It was an eye-opening tale that gave me a greater appreciation of Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy. The play keeps you on your toes and addresses many historical perspectives. Some may find the play to be dry, but in my opinion, it was a quality production. I would recommend this play to students and adults

alike.