This Greenville Journal article by Paul Hyde was originally published on April 3rd, 2026. Photo: Wallace Krebs
It’s the last night of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on earth, and the great civil rights leader is visited by a maid, Camae, at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.
The two enjoy a lively conversation that soon deepens into thoughts about mortality, the strife-torn world and King’s legacy.
That’s the setup for “The Mountaintop,” Katori Hall’s much-produced play — a fictional reimagining of April 3, 1968, after King delivers his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech — running April 3-26 at the Warehouse Theatre.
“Katori Hall has done an incredible job of capturing Dr. King’s essence, his bigger-than-life image, and the roaring passion of his eloquence,” said Tinasha LaRayé, who is directing the play.
At the same time, the two-person play famously presents a down-to-earth King.
“You’re looking at a man who has flaws, quirks and vices,” LaRayé said. “The play reminds us he was human but made decisions that changed the world. We can also pick up the baton and do the same.”
Powerhouse roles
As King, the play features S. Tyrone Williams, whose Broadway credits include August Wilson’s “Jitney” and Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy.”
Danielle Moné Truitt, an award-winning actress, singer, and storyteller known for her starring role as Sergeant Ayanna Bell on NBC’s “Law & Order: Organized Crime,” plays Camae.
“The two roles in the play are up there with the classics,” LaRayé said. There’s a lot about the writing that feels Shakespearean — big ideas expressed in poetic language.”
The 90-minute play is performed without intermission.
“It’s a riveting ride,” LaRayé said.
The drama is enhanced by digital projections and thrust-stage configuration that brings the audience close to the action.
“The Mountaintop” seems particularly relevant at a time of much national division, LaRayé said.
“There’s a time in each generation where the issues of the day reach a fever pitch,” she said. “It seems like a pertinent play right now to remind us who we are and spur us to do the important work of our day.”
Want to go?
What: “The Mountaintop,” by Katori Hall
When: April 3-26
Where: Warehouse Theatre, 37 August St., Greenville
Tickets: $25-$60
Info: 864-235-6948
