In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, the Beverly Arts Center will stage The Mountaintop, Katori Hall’s award-winning drama, January 15–18.
The play imagines the final night of Dr. King’s life inside his Lorraine Motel room, inspired by his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. There, he meets Camae, a sharp-witted and enigmatic hotel maid whose presence forces him to confront his fears, his humanity, and the enduring meaning of his legacy.
Directed by Aaron Reese Boseman, the production offers a deeply personal and contemporary portrait of Dr. King, moving beyond the public icon to reveal the man behind history.
“Presenting The Mountaintop during MLK weekend gives our community a meaningful opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s humanity and the power of his legacy,” said Dr. Carla Carter, executive director of the Beverly Arts Center. “Katori Hall’s writing reminds us that the work of justice continues through honest dialogue, courage, and compassion.”
Written in 2009, The Mountaintop earned Hall the Olivier Award for Best New Play, making her the first Black woman to receive the honor. After its London premiere, the play made its Broadway debut in 2011 and has since been produced at theaters around the world, including its Chicago premiere at The Court Theatre in 2013.
Blending history, imagination, and emotional honesty, the play challenges audiences to reconsider what it means to lead, to listen, and to carry forward the work of justice.
Performances run January 15–18 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. Tickets and additional information are available at thebeverlyartscenter.com.