The production began performances Sept. 22, 2011, and officially opened Oct. 13, 2011.
In a Jan. 18 joint statement announcing the production had recouped, producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman said, "We are absolutely thrilled by the audience's response to this inspirational new play, and even happier to be able to announce this news so close to Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. It's been a joy to see packed houses of engaged, and cheering theatrergoers night after night, and we look forward to the future life this work will undoubtedly have throughout the world."
Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett portrays the mysterious Camae opposite the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. of Academy Award nominee Samuel L. Jackson in the production, which is directed by Tony Award nominee Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun).
Taking place on April 3, 1968, The Mountaintop, press notes state, is a "gripping reimagining of events the night before the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After delivering his legendary 'I've Been to the Mountaintop' speech, an exhausted Dr. King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious young woman delivers room service, King is forced to confront his past, as well as his legacy to his people."
To read an interview with co-stars Jackson and Bassett, click here.
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| Angela Bassett | ||
| photo by Joan Marcus |
The Mountaintop was produced on Broadway by Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman Productions, and Ambassador Theatre Group.
The Mountaintop received its world premiere to critical acclaim in a three-week run at Theatre 503 in June 2009 and subsequently transferred to the West End's Trafalgar Studio 1. The production received two Evening Standard Awards nominations, including Most Promising Playwright, and was awarded the 2010 Olivier Award for Best Play. Hall also received the Susan Smith Blackburn prize.
Bassett, recently seen on screen in the "Green Lantern," is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the biopic "What’s Love Got to Do With It," earning the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama, an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture and an Academy Award nomination for her performance.
Jackson appeared on Broadway in The Piano Lesson. An Academy Award nominee for "Pulp Fiction," his other screen credits include "The Sunset Limited," the "Iron Man" films, "Freedomland," "Snakes on a Plane," the "Star Wars" prequels, "The Incredibles," "Unbreakable," "The Negotiator," "Jackie Brown," "Eve's Bayou" and "Jurassic Park," among others.
Tickets are available at Telecharge.com. The Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre is located at 242 West 45th Street.
View highlights from the show:
