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The Mountaintop 2011

Run Time:
1 hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission
Opened: October 13, 2011
Closing: January 22, 2012

The Mountaintop - 2011 Broadway History , Info & More

Taking place on April 3, 1968, The Mountaintop is a gripping reimagining of events the night before the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr. King (Samuel L. Jackson) retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis while a storm rages outside. When a mysterious stranger (Angela Bassett) arrives with some surprising news, King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.


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PREVIEW The Mountaintop - 2011 - Broadway

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Mountaintop

The Mountaintop
9 / 10

Hall's depiction of Dr. King is daring in its vulnerability, and the ideas she explores, through King's conversation with Camae, are provocative, mature, sometimes even dark...toward the end, when we feel like we know everything, the playwright digs deeper and The Mountaintop somehow becomes more majestic, inviting each of us in the audience to join the ascent as we see fit.

Jackson Plays Randy Dr. King; Zoe Kazan’s Debut
3 / 10

Camae is equipped not only with caffeine, cigarettes and a flask, but a new generation's growing impatience with King's nonviolence. Hall gives her several brazen monologues and a final, surreal rap, all dazzlingly delivered by Bassett.

THE MOUNTAINTOP Recoups Broadway Investment
by Nicole Rosky - January 18, 2012


Producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman announced today that their premiere Broadway production of Katori Hall's Olivier Award-winning play, The Mountaintop, which is playing to sold out houses at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (242 W45th Street), has recouped its entire initial investment of $3.1 million. The Mountaintop stars Samuel L. Jackson as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Angela Bassett, and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Kenny Leon (Stick Fly, Fences, A Raisin in the Sun).

Ruben Wills to Speak at THE MOUNTAINTOP for MLK Day
by BWW News Desk - January 15, 2012


In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, New York City Councilman Ruben Wills (Queens District 28) will present a New York City Proclamation to the Broadway production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. Citations will be given to cast members Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, director Kenny Leon and producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman, following the Sunday matinee performance, January 15th.

FREEZE FRAME: Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett Unveil Sardi's Portraits!
by Walter McBride - January 12, 2012


See a snapshot of the stars of THE MOUNTAINTOP at the unveiling of their Sardi's portraits below, and check back for full photo coverage!

Ruben Wills to Speak at THE MOUNTAINTOP for MLK Day
by Nicole Rosky - January 11, 2012


In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, New York City Councilman Ruben Wills (Queens District 28) will present a New York City Proclamation to the Broadway production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. Citations will be given to cast members Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, director Kenny Leon and producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman, following the Sunday matinee performance, January 15th.

Photo Coverage: THE MOUNTAINTOP Celebrates 100 Performances on Broadway!
by Jennifer Broski - January 9, 2012


On Saturday, January 7, Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett celebrated the 100th performance of The Mountaintop at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the celebration backstage and brings you photo coverage below!

Photo Coverage: Happy Birthday Samuel L. Jackson! Rev. Al Sharpton & THE MOUNTAINTOP Celebrates
by Jennifer Broski - December 21, 2011


Today, December 21, Samuel L. Jackson and surprise guest, the Rev. Al Sharpton, celebrated his birthday onstage at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre following the matinee performance of The Mountaintop. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the surprise and brings you photo coverage below!

STAGE TUBE: Samuel L. Jackson Talks THE MOUNTAINTOP and Being A Movie Star on The Colbert Report
by Jessica Lewis - December 13, 2011


Last night, December 12, The Mountain Top star Samuel L. Jackson visited Stephen Colbert to talk Broadway, race and tweeting on The Colbert report. Miss the hilarity? Click below!

Photo Flash: Mrs. Ralph Abernathy Visits THE MOUNTAINTOP
by Nicole Rosky - December 8, 2011


The Broadway premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop is currently playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre through January 22. The Mountaintop stars Samuel L. Jackson as DR. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Angela Bassett, and is directed by Tony Award® nominee Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun). Juanita Jones Abernathy, wife of Ralph Abernathy, recently visited the production, and you can check out a photo of her with the cast below!

THE MOUNTAINTOP Considering Recasting, Filming & More...
by Lauren Wolman - November 5, 2011


With Samuel L. Jackson leaving to shoot a film, producers of THEMOUNTAINTOP Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman are considering recasting the show, which also stars Angela Bassett, according to Variety.

THE MOUNTAINTOP Extends Through MLK Day
by Nicole Rosky - November 2, 2011


Producers Jean Doumanian and Sonia Friedman announced today that the Broadway premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, now playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, has extended its run by popular demand, and will now play performances through January 22.

Samuel L. Jackson Named Highest Grossing Actor of All Time
by Nicole Rosky - October 28, 2011


The Guinness Book of World Records has just named THE MOUNTAINTOP star Samuel L. Jackson the highest-grossing actor of all time. Jackson's films have earned over $7.42 billion.

Photo Flash: Samuel L. Jackson Visits TimesTalks
by Nicole Rosky - October 25, 2011


On Monday, Oct. 24, The New York Times TimesTalks series featured Samuel L. Jackson, the award-winning actor making his Broadway debut in 'The Mountaintop' as Martin Luther King Jr., in discussion with New York Times media columnist David Carr. The conversation, which focused on the play and his career in theater, film and television, took place at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street in New York City.

Photo Flash: Angela Bassett Visits BROADWAY TALKS
by Nicole Rosky - October 24, 2011


92nd Street Y feautred Jordan Roth, President of Jujamcyn Theaters, in his popular multi-evening 92nd Street Y conversation series, 'Broadway Talks with Jordan Roth' with Golden Globe Award-winning stage and screen star Angela Bassett. Roth and Bassett discussed her upcoming role opposite Samuel L. Jackson in the Broadway premiere of Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, as well as her remarkable career on the silver screen, at 92nd Street Y (1395 Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) yesterday. Check out photos from the event below!

THE MOUNTAINTOP'S Samuel L Jackson Set For TimesTalk 10/24
by BWW News Desk - October 24, 2011


In the coming weeks, some of the brightest names in film, television, theater, books, will sit down with New York Times journalists for TimesTalks events at TheTimesCenter, 242 West 41st Street, new York City.

Review - The Mountaintop
by Ben Peltz - October 14, 2011


Back in 2009, The Public Theatre presented Tracy Scott Wilson's ambitious and very capable drama, The Good Negro, a work of fiction with one character obviously meant as a stand-in for DR. Martin Luther King, Jr., which depicted the leaders of the 1960s civil rights movement as everyday human beings with normal flaws, making what they accomplished a greater achievement than if it were done by the demi-gods some would make them out to be.  To that end, the playwright showed the fictional King and his colleagues orchestrating a fight for racial equality by pushing only the most media-friendly images of black people before the press.

TV: Inside the Celebratory After Party of THE MOUNTAINTOP!
by Broadway Beat - October 17, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), opened on October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Broadway Beat was at the opening night after party and takes you inside the celebration below!

Photo Coverage: THE MOUNTAINTOP Theatre Arrivals & After Party
by Walter McBride - October 14, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), opened last night, October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. BroadwayWorld was there for the starry arrivals and celebratory after party and brings you photo coverage below!

Photo Coverage: Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett Open THE MOUNTAINTOP
by Walter McBride - October 14, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), opened last night, October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. It was an emotional night and BroadwayWorld was there to caputure it all. Below, we bring you Angela Bassett and Samuel L. Jackson's premiere curtain call. The performance marked Jackson's official Broadway debut.

Review Roundup: Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett in THE MOUNTAINTOP - All the Reviews!
by BWW Special Coverage - October 14, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), officially opened tonight at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre.

TV: Watch Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett in Highlights from THE MOUNTAINTOP - Opens Tonight!
by Jessica Lewis - October 13, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), officially opens tonight, October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Want to see a sneak peek? Click below for performance highlights!

STAGE TUBE: Samuel L. Jackson on THE MOUNTAINTOP, Twitter, and More!
by Nicole Rosky - October 12, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (DR. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), will open officially tomorrow, October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Jackson recently stopped by 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,' where he chatted about the show, joining Twitter, and more. Click below to check out his appearance!

STAGE TUBE: Angela Bassett, Samuel L. Jackson Talk THE MOUNTAINTOP on THE VIEW
by Nicole Rosky - October 11, 2011


The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,) and Angela Bassett, directed by the Tony-nominated Kenny Leon (Fences, A Raisin in the Sun), will open officially on October 13, 2011 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. This morning's episode of 'The View,' featured stars of the show Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. Click below to hear what they had to say about the new show!

The Mountaintop History

Other Productions of The Mountaintop

2011   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

The Mountaintop - 2011 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2012 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design David Gallo
2012 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Angela Bassett
2012 Drama League Awards Distinguished Performance Award Samuel L. Jackson

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