Interview: Gilbert Glenn Brown On Scaling THE MOUNTAINTOP & Guiding The Youth Thru The Arts

A frequent creative fixture of Los Angeles Theatre, as well as, in theatre communities nationwide; Gilbert Glenn Brown will next be sharing his acting acumen and gravitas on the Garry Marshall Theatre stage reprising his role of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Katori Hall's Olivier Award-winning THE MOUNTAINTOP, beginning February 6, 2019. I managed to catch Gilbert for a few moments between juggling his many acting commitments to answer a few of my queries.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Gilbert! I had the pleasure of seeing you a few years ago as Billy Strayhorn's lover Aaron Bridgers in WHEN JAZZ HAD THE BLUES.

Thank you so much, Gil! I appreciate that so much and thank you for supporting L.A. theatre all these years.

This THE MOUNTAINTOP at the Garry Marshall Theatre will be the third production of THE MOUNTAINTOP you've been in (after the Los Angeles Theatre Works 38-city tour last year and, your first, at the William Inge Theatre Festival in 2010). How would you say your portrayal of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has grown and deepened since your first run in 2010?

To be honest Gil... I'm laughing as I think about this... I sure hope that it has deepened. I mean, I feel like it has! I know that may sound a little lackluster, but... Hey! I'm constantly evolving, learning and growing. And, so it is with this role. I can tell you, 'Yes, I have a much deeper understanding of Dr. King, the leader, the son, the father and the man than I previously had.' But I'm not the same man I was then. I'm different, my world, our world, is a bit different; and just as Dr. King evolved and reformulated his objectives as a leader due to real world concerns; I feel in a way, I'm doing the same. Which will lead to a deeper, richer, fuller, more moving and transformative experience. That's my goal.

You also played Dr. King in the Negro Ensemble Company's musical MARTIN: BEFORE THE DREAM at the Kraine Theatre in 2011? Would you tell us about that experience?

Absolutely, getting an opportunity to work with the legendary Negro Ensemble Company and with the late great writer Leslie Lee and brilliant composer Charles Strauss, at the risk of 'fanning' out, it was an HONOR. The piece itself was a look at King's early years up to the March on Washington. It was truly a labor of love for us, the company, and so fulfilling to experience Dr. King in this way.

What cosmic forces brought you and this production of THE MOUNTAINTOP together?

Wow! God! I was actually out of town working, handling some family matters at the time of casting. So the stars definitely aligned for all the moving parts for this to happen. From amazing Amy Lieberman the casting director to Gregg T. Daniels our illustrious leader, to the wonderful Carolyn Ratteray and the fantastic Garry Marshall family. Everything just aligned perfectly to make it happen, believe it. I guess I'd love to believe Martin had a hand in it!

Have you seen other productions of THE MOUNTAINTOP prior to your William Inge Theatre Festival production?

Actually, I never saw it prior to Katori being honored at the festival. I'd heard rumblings of it while in New York, and that it was going to Broadway. But this was actually one of the earliest public readings after the West End (and I believe the last) prior to going to Broadway.

In all these years of performing Dr. King; by chance, had you crossed paths with any of his family?

I have met a few people who marched with Dr. King and worked with him. I also had the honor of knowing his eldest daughter Yolanda King, who I met in Los Angeles when I first arrived on the L.A. theatre scene. Truly a beautiful and loving spirit.

As one who's surely studied this great man, is there a preferred title to address him? Should it be 'Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.'? Or 'Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'? I have seen him addressed as both.

If I remember correctly, and due to his first being a man of God, I would have to say 'Reverend.'

Have you worked with any of this THE MOUNTAINTOP's cast or creatives before?

I have worked with the brilliant director Gregg T. Daniels on staged readings with his theatre company previously. We've been trying to work together since, but scheduling did not permit. The universe aligned for THE MOUNTAINTOP to be the first full production we've worked on together, and it's been amazing.

You are a continued supporter of The Mind-Builders Creative Art Center's Positive Youth Troupe. Can you remember your first impression of them when they came to your high school class and performed?

Yes, absolutely! Mind-Builders The Positive Youth Troupe is where it all began for me! I'd always been a creative kid growing up in New York. Enjoyed the arts. Really always felt like I had something to say and share, but not really sure how to do it. Plus, there were quite a bit of distractions - some positive, some not. When I saw PYT perform on stage at my school, I was blown away. Not that it was a perfect performance, but in seeing other young people up there, I could see myself. Doing something positive, affecting the audience, using their gifts to educate, uplift and empower. It didn't hurt that they dressed like me, spoke like me, moved like me, using the music I listened to, and speaking on my concerns of the time. All while having fun. What stuck with me was that the show did not provide a 'perfect' and complete solution in a neat bow. It provided a voice, and presented options, and opened a whole world of possibility. That performance forever transformed my life. I auditioned and was accepted into the company. The atmosphere there is always filled with empowerment, creativity and love. A great start and great impression for a 15-year-old kid.

Sounds like you value the importance that the arts/arts education is to impressionable teenagers' minds?

IMMENSELY! I can use the textbook terms and say it provides people skills, problem solving skills, interpersonal communication skills, public speaking skills, blah, blah, blah. Yes, it does that, and we know that. All good things. But, what it also does is open up a young person's mind, their imagination; so that they can see beyond the moment, to see possibilities not problems, opportunities instead of obstacles. Feeding their souls in ways only the arts can. Allowing them to not only rise above their circumstances, but to transform it. It can even save lives. Dr. King always believed the arts and the artist's voice was so powerful, and almost always made the world a better place. I do feel that introducing the arts to youth is a viable way to help young people and communities. While they may not become an artist, it definitely fuels their tanks in a powerful way.

What encouraging statistics and achievements of the Positive Youth Troupe can you proudly boast about?

Wow! So many... I'll try to remember them... I was a member through college, as well, and came back to manage the department as well. Several proclamations from the City and Borough, ten awards over two years of participating in the Brevard Theatre Festival, NEA endowments, several successful off-Broadway productions, several members who have gone on to have successful careers - not only in the arts, but also in their chosen fields. There are more, but I'll have to get back to you on it.

What's in the near future for Gilbert Glenn Brown?

I will next be seen on Fox's The Passage and as Howard Clements alongside Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell in the upcoming fact-based film, Best of Enemies. I also have a web series project I co-created, wrote and starred in that I'm completing; as well as, a few writing projects on my desk, I'll keep you posted on that!

What emotions would you like the Garry Marshall audience to leave with after your curtain call?

ALL OF THEM! Every last emotion plus! Hey, there may be a few you may not have known existed within you! That's the power of what we do as artists to affect the hearts, minds and spirits of all those in attendance, all who bear witness to the stories we tell. The hope is that, in what we do, in that short span of time, with that small community of people, has somehow sparked an emotion, then a thought, followed by action.

Primarily, I want the audience to think. To think on how they can affect the change they want to see in world. Using their tools and skills where they are. Understanding that you don't need to be perfect (none of us are), but we can influence change. We can reach out. We can be better human beings and build a better world community.

Thank you again, Gilbert! I look forward to experiencing you on your MOUNTAINTOP.

Thank you so much, Gil. Look forward to seeing you at THE MOUNTAINTOP as well.

For ticket availability and show schedule through March 10, 2019; log onto www.garrymarshalltheatre.org

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