“…Well, I don’t know what will happen now. We’ve got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me now. Because I’ve been to the mountaintop. And I don’t mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. And I’m happy, tonight. I’m not worried about anything. I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“I always try to work from a place of love and joy. I feel this was the mantra of Dr. King’s life, trying to heal the world through love,” says Jamal Sterling about playing one of the most prominent leaders in the Civil Rights Movement in River & Rail Theatre Company’s production of Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop, opening this week at the Old City Performing Arts Center.
Directed by Rico Bruce Wade, The Mountaintop explores the last night of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life. In this fictionalized retelling of his stay at the Lorraine Motel, hours before his assassination, Hall “sets out to focus on King, the man—not the myth” says Emily Ernst, Associate Artistic Director for River & Rail Theatre Company.
The play serves another purpose — a love letter to Hall’s mother, who was a teenager growing up in Memphis during King’s visit, and therefore was not allowed to attend King’s sermon the night before his death. Inspired by her, the only other character in the play is Camae, played in this production by Jaquai Wade Pearson. The character serves as the sounding board for Dr. King about his life and legacy and gives Hall’s mother that experience of meeting Dr. King that she never got to have.
“The mystery in my character is why she of all people is there,” Pearson shares. “The challenge is holding that secret tight until Camae can’t anymore—allowing the story to unfold in a way that surprises the audience, even if they’ve read the play.”
“Producing an impact play with a small cast is something we’ve been looking to do during COVID,” explains Ernst, “River and Rail is trying to make Knoxville a destination for the arts.” With such a small cast of characters, this show offers the audience an intimate look into Hall’s storytelling. Combining two Dallas-based actors with a local director offers a different perspective to the story.
Pearson explains: “Knoxville is a distinct town that’s had such a grounding effect on me. Being able to look out at literally tons of mountain tops while working on this piece is heavenly. Sounds a bit cliché but it’s honestly a humble paradise.” The Mountaintop’s Director, Wade, a passionate player in the Knoxville arts community, will also star in Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Trouble In Mind, another show exploring Civil Rights History. Running in tandem with one another, these two shows offer Knoxvillians a piece of American history that is taught in a tangible way.
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall
River & Rail Theatre Company at the Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street
Performances: February 16 thru March 5, 2023, Thursday – Saturday shows at 7:30 PM; Sunday matinees at 2:30 PM
A free performance is available on UT Knoxville’s campus in the Student Union on February 20th at 6:30 PM.
Theatre goers can attend a free preview on February 16th by using the code “MLKJr” when checking out. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.riverandrailtheatre.com.
