Tamiko Robinson Steele and Rashad Rayford in 'The Mountaintop'
We Americans do love our heroes. The problem is that in building them up to such mythical proportions, we often lose sight of what makes them so special.
In the case of The Mountaintop, however, Pulitzer Prize-winning Tennessee playwright Katori Hall gives us a full-blooded and decidedly human hero in Martin Luther King Jr. Nashville Rep’s production of the play — which opens at TPAC’s Andrew Johnson Theater on Feb. 14 — reimagines the final hours of King’s life, just before he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Â
 As the story opens, we meet a weary King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. He has just delivered his prophetic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech and is clearly exhausted. But there is work to be done, and he decides to order up some coffee. In doing so, he meets Camae — a beautiful but mysterious housekeeper on her first day on the job.
“What I love about this play is that we get to see a very human Martin Luther King Jr.,” says director Alicia Haymer, an accomplished actor, director and writer who has frequently collaborated with the Rep. “It makes him so much more real — more tangible, somehow. And it reminds us that you don’t have to be perfect in order to make a difference in this world. You may smoke cigarettes, you may flirt or curse every now and then. You may work too hard, and maybe not see your kids as much as you’d like. You can be a regular, ordinary person and still do great, important things. I think that’s such an important message — especially now, when we need forward-thinking people to step up and help unify this country.”
Hall’s play is marked by poetic language and elements of magical realism, something that Haymer particularly enjoys.
“Katori Hall is such a brilliant writer,” Haymer says. “I love that she’s instantly able to put the audience at ease and draw them into the world that we’re creating. She lays everything out in such a way that it’s easy to jump in and go for the ride.”
Haymer is also quick to credit her cast, which includes Rashad Rayford as Dr. King and Tamiko Robinson Steele as the enigmatic Camae.
“Tamiko and Rashad are both so incredibly versatile — there’s really nothing they can’t do,” Haymer says. “This is not an easy show — they hit the stage and never leave. But they’re both such professionals, and so willing to let go and take chances. That’s something I always tell my actors: You have to free yourself. You have to get over yourself, and let the character speak to you. I’ve had the pleasure of watching Tamiko and Rashad do that time and time again over the years. So I’m really excited to see what they can do here. I can’t wait for people to experience this show and these characters.”
Haymer says she is especially eager to share the play’s final moments with the audience.
“The ending of this show is very powerful, because it’s an opportunity for Martin to peek into the future — to see the world that’s yet to come. I’m really excited to share that with folks.
“You know, this show is running during Black History Month, and it absolutely does deal with Black history,” she adds. “But it’s also American history. And I hope that audiences will think about that. It’s a beautiful play, and it could run any time of year and be just as relevant.”
Other upcoming performances: Â
Jan. 24-25: Faustin Linyekula’s My Body, My Archive (with Heru Shabaka-Ra) at OZ Arts (For more information, see our Critics’ Picks on p. 21.)
Jan. 24-26: Nashville Opera’s H.M.S. Pinafore at TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater
Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Martha Graham Dance Company at TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater
Step Afrika!
Feb. 7: Step Afrika! at TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater
Feb. 7-22: Street Theatre Company’s Alice by Heart at The Barbershop Theater
Feb. 11-16: & Juliet at TPAC’s Jackson Hall
Feb. 22-23: Nashville Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty at TPAC’s Jackson HallÂ
March 5-6: Soon-ho Park & Bereishit Dance’s Balance and Imbalance Judo at OZ ArtsÂ
March 27-April 5: Nashville Story Garden (with Nate Eppler and Lauren Shouse) presents Human Resources at OZ Arts
A look inside Nashville Rep’s upcoming production of 'The Mountaintop,' along with previews of coming art, theater, dance, film and book events
