Review: Compelling THE MOUNTAINTOP at Trinity Rep

THE MOUNTAINTOP by Katori Hall, reimagines Martin Luther King Jr.'s last night in a Memphis hotel room with an unexpected amount of humor and some magical realism. It is daunting to take on the task of humanizing such a larger-than-life figure, but Joe Wilson Jr.'s portrayal is compelling, endearing and perfectly captures both the challenge and the pain that comes with being a public figure called to tackle a seemingly impossible task. This two-person production also stars Mia Ellis as Camae, the hotel maid who delivers coffee to King's room and who quickly becomes a friend and confidant. This is an intimate production that manages to avoid getting too preachy, delivering a night of excellent theatre.

The Dowling Theatre (downstairs) at Trinity Rep, is already an intimate space, but for this production, it's made even cozier as the wings are blocked off and the whole set consists of a small dingy hotel room with orangey bed linens, cheap wood tables and chairs, and the ubiquitous bible in the bedside table. It's immediately familiar, and the juxtaposition of the legendary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in such a grotty and typical setting immediately sets the tone for a play that celebrates him as a flawed and human individual, but also gives a glimpse into the torment that dogs him.

Joe Wilson Jr.'s performance is nothing less than brilliant as he vacillates between strident preacher mode with complete confidence, and King's human side filled with uncertainty, fear, and worry. Playing the role of a civil rights icon certainly seems like a daunting task, but Wilson has clearly done his homework. He never attempts a cartoonish imitation of King, instead he presents us with the portrait of a man of conviction, intelligence and frustration.

Mia Ellis is the perfect compliment to Wilson's performance and gets to flex both her dramatic and comedic muscles. As Camae, the hotel maid who brings both a pack of Pall Malls and a flask of whiskey to work on her first day, she quickly becomes King's confidant and then much more. Camae is a smart, effervescent woman who is unintimidated by Dr. King's fame and who frequently forgets that she's in the presence of a man of god and curses like a sailor. Ellis is fantastic as always, and lands her jokes with perfect comic timing. Her facial expressions are worth the price of admission alone, and it's easy to see why King is taken with her so quickly. The rapport between the two actors is effortless, and the 100 minute long play seems like it's over in a blink.

The prospect of seeing a play about the last night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life seems at the outset like it would be a very heavy production, but playwright Hall was canny enough to add a surprising amount of levity, which doesn't detract from the gravity of the situation, but makes it significantly easier to take it all in and better appreciate the serious moments. While the ultimate message is a bit cliche, one can still appreciate the overall presentation--but do bring some tissues. The success of this production weighs solely on the shoulders of the two actors, and Ellis and Wilson could not have been better. This is the injection of hope that we need right now.

Performances of The Mountaintop run January 12 - February 12, 2017 in Trinity Rep's Dowling Theater. Tickets are available at www.trinityrep.com, by calling (401) 351-4242 or at the theater's box office at 201 Washington St., Providence.

From left to right: Mia Ellis as Camae and Joe Wilson, Jr. as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo Mark Turek.

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