The Mountaintop - first preview — Page 2

Yes. They thought it would be too disturbing so, a la BILLY ELLIOT, they cut it.

Let's just say: Don't read the ATC review if you don't already know the function of Bassett's character.

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Saw the show tonight. I'll post more later, but I really, really loved it. Extremely powerful stuff. Bassett is giving a towering performance and Jackson is extremely strong. The audience seemed to eat it up. It looked sold out. About an hour and forty-five minutes long.

Updated On: 9/24/11 at 10:45 PM

I saw the show tonight as well! I really liked it. Bassett is absolutely incredible, and Jackson is giving a very strong performance as well. The play and the writing itself was a little iffy in spots, in my opinion, but the performances make the show so worth seeing! The ending is totally chill inducing as well. Re: the stage door; It wasn't that crazy, but I was up front so I am not sure if those in the back were able to get their stuff signed, but both Angela and Jackson took their time signing all that they could.

Amazing to hear that the writing is a little iffy at this point. Isn't this the play that beat out Jerusalem for the Olivier a year or so ago.

I went into this not knowing anything about the "big spoiler," and am glad for it. The writing is crisp and the pacing moves along a nice clip. Being just a two-person show both actors have a considerable amount dialogue to master, and they had it down.

Bassett is basically sensational and she hammers home a thrilling monologue late in the play. If this was late April I would put her down on the shortlist for the Tony, regardless of her competition.

Jackson holds his own with her, and considering we all know what King looked like and more importantly sounded like, I thought he convincingly pulled off the characterization.

I agree with singer that the writing wasn't always perfect. It was like Kushner meets The Jeffersons.

The bottom line is it's totally worth seeing because of the performances. Both have true star power and are compelling stage actors.

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Did anyone see this in London?

I'm not familiar with British actors in the West End production. Are they "stars" in London? This production, for me, was all about the actors, but I'm wondering if the play was more the star in London.

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I hated it.

I thought Bassett was sensational, but her material was so poor. There were so many moments when I sat there rolling my eyes at the cliched, cheesy dialogue. I thought the entire premise was hoaky, as was the final "montage", or whatever you want to call it. Also didn't care for the discussion of cell phones and dropped calls.

I didn't think Jackson looked or sounded anything like King, and found his breakdown at the end utterly unconvincing. Bassett did what she could, though.

I saw the show tonight also. It was a good play, far from a great play. I think any time you put someone as important and historic as Dr. King in something it's easy to mistake the work for being better than it actually is, maybe to convince ourselves we've seen something "important". Sam Jackson is fine as Dr. King but he didn't give a performance that made me say "WOW! I couldn't imagine ANYONE else playing this role besides him!" He was just...ok. Bassett (who I've been in love with for half my life) was excellent, often times overcoming the words she had to say.




***SPOILERS***
When the big "reveal" happens, I thought, "Ok. This can go one of two ways. It can become really F'in weird or overly spiritual which would just totally turn me off to it" But I was completely wrong. It, in a way, was like MLK meets Kevin Smith's "Dogma". I enjoyed the last 20 minutes for what they were but wished in the end, besides Bassett's exceptional monologue, that it would have been more emotional than it was. I feel after what he's been through that night we need to see him accepting his fate instead of what we're given. It was like I just REALLY wanted to cry but they gave me nothing to let me do that, if that makes any sense at all.

All in all, I enjoyed it. Great writing? No. Great acting? Oh my, yes.

It's Angela's show. She honestly should get top billing because when it comes down to it, the play is more about her than him.

Spoilers in my thoughts below:


I really liked it overall. Angela Bassett was great - her "preaching" on the bed stopped the show in a way that almost reminded me of Ellen Barkin's monologue in The Normal Heart. Samuel L. Jackson was less "flashy," but I thought it was a tempered, well-thought-out performance.

There was a woman outside after the show pitching something of a fit over the content of the play. I didn't find it disrespectful, and actually found it refreshing to have MLK portrayed as a real person for once, but to each their own. I wasn't sure how I felt about the play immediately after seeing it, but I keep thinking about it in the days since seeing it, so it's doing its job there. I'm interested to see more from Katori Hall - she seems to have a very distinct voice as a writer.

Does anyone know where the rush seats are located and how early people are lining up?

"I think any time you put someone as important and historic as Dr. King in something it's easy to mistake the work for being better than it actually is, maybe to convince ourselves we've seen something "important"."

Jordan, that was another thought in the back of my mind. I have decided to pick up a ticket this afternoon and see it. I am hearing too many good things about Bassett's performance and I don't want to miss it.

Edit: Got my ticket for Wednesday.

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Updated On: 10/4/11 at 01:20 PM