As Martin Luther King Jr.’s transcendent hotel maid on the last night of his life, Amanda Warren is nothing less than a revelation, bringing forth the profound reckoning of an American icon.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 06/19/23 – When African American playwright Katori Hall takes on a subject, she does so with indomitable courage and deep engagement. Indeed, she has no fear of dancing with history in The Mountaintop, a reflective, almost shattering look at the last night of Martin Luther King Jr’s life at the Lorraine Motel after delivering his history-altering “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. In the new production of the play at the Geffen Playhouse, director Patricia McGregor leads her two lead actors on a journey that does justice to Hall’s complex vision.
Playing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on stage, actor Jon Michael Hall takes on the intimidating task of filling the shoes of a true American icon. It is even harder when the ragged shoes prove to be a bit stinky, and the socks filling them are tattered. Indeed, from the first moments of the opening scene, the audience is presented with the man’s humanity, flaws, and all.
Like any human being, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is subject to exhaustion and frustrations, impatience and temptations. As Jon Michael Hill begins this journey, he presents a convincing take on the legend of the Civil Rights hero while also convincing the audience of the reality of the man. His finest achievement is walking this fine line without giving short shrift to the legend or the man.
Although Jon Michael Hill’s performance is excellent, he is up against an effervescent hurricane of an acting partner. As Camae, the mysterious maid who becomes both the sword and the foil for this great man, Amanda Warren is nothing less than a revelation. With energy and humor, strength and emotion, she grabs hold of the character from the first moment she enters the room to the very end when the lights go out.
There is so much that needs to be held back about Amanda Warren’s performance to respect and maintain the integrity of the play. Her character is so much more than she appears, yet her character’s different layers and realities must be cloaked in mystery. Still, in the stillness of this review, there is no question about the excellence of her work on this stage. From bawdry to transcendent, she proves to be up to the task of presenting all the facets of a multi-dimensional jewel of a character.
Overall, The Mountaintop is a moving production that represents with power and emotion a pivotal moment in American history. To this day, the loss of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. remains one of the saddest moments in our collective past. By creating a show where that loss can be examined and understood, Katori Hall fleshes out American history. Together, it allows the audience to experience a profound moment of sadness and redemption.
Everyone involved in this incredible production put in a lot of hard work to make it happen. Indeed, the magnificent dimensions of The Mountaintop make it one of the finest theatrical productions in Los Angeles in 2023. If you have the chance, do not miss this profound excavation into American history.
Photos by Frank Ishm and Isaak Berliner
