by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz

“The Mountaintop” works its magic to help us RE-THINK our roles in the never-ending march toward Freedom.

In statues and schools everywhere, images of Martin Luther King Jr. remind us of his achievements, his greatness. But playwright Katori Hall takes an artist’s chisel to MLK’s frozen figure. She reshapes him into a beautifully recognizable and infinitely human being.

There’s no substitute for genius—and “genius” is written all over this play and this Oakland Theater Company production, starring William Thomas Hodgson and Sam Jackson. “The Mountaintop” takes us, with astonishing depth and humor, into a thrilling evocation of Martin Luther King’s last day on earth—and along the way, it gives a tempestuous insight into the U.S. today.

As Dr. King, Hodgson delivers a masterful interpretation of the hero on his last night alive, April 3, 1968, at age 39. It’s thrilling to see Hodgson unfold the layers of young Martin. He does a superb job, bringing us into intimate, thoughtful, ever-changing contact. Here’s an MLK we never knew.

Sam Jackson, his admirable antagonist, shines as Camae, the motel maid who comes in from the storm. A forceful foil, she’s funny and flirtatious. We are gob-smacked when she reveals her hidden role in his life—her contradictions blossom into full-blown revelation. Jackson delivers surprising spiritual mysteries.

As their leader/follower roles evolve, the tables turn, and more secrets emerge. MLK shares that “We’re all scared. Scared of each other. Scared of ourselves…. Fear makes us human.” When King shares deep remorse over the police killing of a sixteen-year-old boy during the Memphis Sanitation workers’ strike, thoughts of Renee Good and Alex Pretti are top of mind. Hall’s play sounds a CALL TO ACTION.

Camae literally STEPS INTO MLK’s SHOES, and we gasp at her audacity as she delivers her own speech! He challenges her, asking, “What would you do?” Camae’s urges Martin to deliver her surprisingly pointed message, ending with “Fuck the White Man!” Like us, MLK is impressed. He remarks, “You speak well….for a woman.”

Lightning strikes more than once in this room full of electricity. When Camae pulls a flask, a hidden stash of cigarettes, and a handful of popcorn out of her deep-pocketed apron, we wonder what else she is hiding. Her role is transformative and otherworldly.

The stunning marble set and giant tombstone assert Martin’s permanence, but the flowers and feathers introduce mutability. Enormous projections fill the theater with richly layered content. “The Mountaintop,” bursts with passion, pathos, and delightful surprises, tiptoeing toward revelation.

As we continue to protest against brutal immigration enforcement while our democracy hangs in the balance, we are called upon to pick up Martin’s baton.

In his own words: “The time is ALWAYS RIGHT to do what is right.”

“The Mountaintop” by Katori Hall, directed by James Mercer II & Michael Socrates Moran, set designed by Sam Fehr, lighting by Ashley Munday, costumes by Mylo Cardona, sound by Ray Archie & Adam Montanaro, projections by Adam Montanaro, at Oakland Theater Project, Oakland, California.

Info: oaklandtheaterproject.org – to February 15, 2026.

Cast: William Thomas Hodgson and Sam Jackson.

“The Mountaintop” is a SFBATCC Go See! production!