The Mountaintop - first preview- Page 2

[Blactor]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:50am

^^^terrible, LOL

***rolls eyes at Jordan***

(even though I think you're often hilarious, you get the eye roll today!)

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:50am

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.

[scott68]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 3:56pm

I was hoping SOMEONE would have seen it by now!

I was at the invited dress, so I won't give a full review, but I'll just say that Ms. Bassett gives a powerhouse performance (and looks a good 20+ years younger than she is), and I'm excited to go back and see the show after some tightening, as I think that's the bulk of what it needs to be ready to open.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 10:45pm

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

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 10:55pm

I never ask this but how was the stage door? I need to meet Miss Angela.

[singer73192]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 10:58pm

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.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:07pm

For those who have seen it, would the Bassett role have been good for Halle Berry? I'm certainly very happy the amazing Bassett was cast, but she's pretty different from Berry.

[sskeats2]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:20pm

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.

[singer73192]

Posted: 9/24/11 at 11:50pm

^ Just my opinion... I felt as though certain things could have been fleshed out some more. (It is hard to explain which things without revealing a spoiler) But, I do personally prefer the writing of Jerusalem, so just different taste. Anyway, I was trying to envision Halle Berry in the role and just couldn't picture it. I imagine that she would have done a fine job, but with Bassett on the stage it is hard to envision anyone taking on that role like she does.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 9:44pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 9:52pm

Was there tonight. The good news is: Bassett is giving a riveting and powerful performance. Jackson definitely holds his own, and doesnt turn his portrayal of MLK into a caricature.

The writing is unfortunately weak and cheesy at times. But it's worth seeing this production for Bassett's performance.
Updated On: 9/25/11 at 09:52 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:11pm

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.

[AC126748]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:16pm

David Harewood, who played MLK, is a relatively well-known actor. Not on the Sam Jackson level, but he has a solid background in TV and theatre. I've never heard of Lorraine Burroughs, but she appears to have a solid resume in British TV on IMDb.

What interests me, for anyone who's seen both productions, is how the Bassett role fares in the hands of an older actress (Bassett is over fifty, while Burroughs is late twenties). Does it add a different component to the relationship between the characters?

[adamgreer]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:17pm

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.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:19pm

AC- Bassett looks like she's in her late 20s, honest.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:23pm

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.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:46pm

Jackson is what stopped me from getting a ticket for this play. But now that I am hearing such good things about Ms. Bassett, I may have to go.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/11 at 10:52pm

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.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 9/26/11 at 9:09am

Agreed, Jordan. This is truly Angela's show. She owns it.

[Dein Herr]

Posted: 9/26/11 at 12:32pm

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.

[REALstr8]

Posted: 9/29/11 at 9:41am

You know I have to agree with you about Samuel L Jackson. If anyone else had been opposite him this show would tank. Angela Bassett carries this show like Rosa Parks on a bus protest! LOL! She is amazing.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 10/1/11 at 10:39pm

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

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 10/1/11 at 10:49pm

I rushed last Sunday and was in the last row of the orchestra, house right. I didn't get on the line until about 15 minutes before the box office opened.

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/3/11 at 1:20pm

"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.

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

[uncageg]

Posted: 10/5/11 at 9:48pm

Saw it this afternoon. The biggest mistake was casting Samual L. Jackson as MLK. The final "speech" was heartbreaking and moved me to tears but that, In my opinion, was the writing.

Angela Bassett carried this show. had there been another actor that had been closer to "emulating" Dr. King, it would have been better.

Bassetts's next to final time onstage was frigging INcredible.

This worked because of the direction in my opinion. Not the strongest book and Samuel Jackson should not be playing the role of King.

I actually realized I figured out the big reveal a few days ago after reading the NY Times piece on the set and the during a certain part of the show before it happens.

***Possible spoiler*** - I was in tears by the end of the final speach. It took me about 10 minutes to pull myself together.

Updated On: 10/6/11 at 09:48 PM