Audiobook Review: The Mountaintop

 

The Mountaintop
By Katori Hall
Performed by Larry Powell and Aja Naomi King
Ⓟ 2016, L.A. Theatre Works
1 Hours, 4 Minutes
PLAY | HISTORICAL FICTION

This is a staged reading of Katori Hall’s 2011 play featuring Martin Luther King, Jr. and a maid sitting in a motel room talking and smoking. As mundane as that may seem, the import comes from the time in which the play is set, April 3, 1969 – the eve of Dr. King’s assassination.

The dialogue reveals the flaws and greatness of both characters; and the lines are delivered with all the best of actorly skills: credibility and passion.  Everything the listener needs is in the script, meaning the action does not require sound effects or music, and the performance is powerful for its understated production values. This is also a play that also stands up without any visuals, making it the perfect audio drama offering.

Below is a “video” (actually the audio posted with a still photo of the event) of Martin Luther King Jr.’s last speech in full, “I have been to the mountaintop” (posted by SeurJamzEnt on YouTube.com):

OTHER: I listened to a digital download copy of The Mountaintop (by Katori Hall; Performed byLarry Powell and Aja Naomi King) which I purchased from Audible.com. I receive no monies, goods, or services in exchange for reviewing the product and/or mentioning any of the persons or companies that are or may be implied in this post.

The Mountaintop (by Katori Hall; Performed byLarry Powell and Aja Naomi King) is a finalist in the 2017 APA Audie Awards in the Audio Drama category.