Mountaintop portrays Dr. King as an adulterous, fearful, smoking, and cussing preacher man...amongst other things.

The two-character play staring Samuel Jackson and Angela Bassett left me with mixed feelings as I walked out onto 45th and Broadway searching for something to fill the void the play left behind. I’ll admit, the play had a semi-powerful ending and message but the fabric of the play was crass, lighthearted, and often times comical. The kind of comedy you’d find on TBS. The complexities that exist now and then were downplayed and the performance and implications were a bit much at times.

I couldn’t help but think of Forrest Gump as I listened to Samuel Jackson’s impersonation of Dr. King’s accent. 90 minutes of that got old quick. But, there’s something about watching the likes of Samuel Jackson and Angela Bassett, two super stars in their own right perform on Broadway that will captivate you nonetheless. Even when Angela’s character Camae (a maid with a twist) over performs and exaggerates every line, emotion, and gesture, something makes you hold on to see just where this play is going. And, where is it going? To the Mountaintop of course. The set takes place in a decrepit motel room the night before Dr. King’s assassination in the midst of a thunderstorm. We quickly learn the vulnerabilities and fear that Dr. King holds.

There are times when I felt like I was watching Sy-Fy during the play. I mean, certain scenes really put you in what looks and feels like Bewitched or The Twilight Zone. It’s definitely some Sy-Fy type of zone. At that point, it’s hard to believe anything that comes next of Angela’s character Camae.

If you’re a Christian or even a bit religious, you may take offense to the way God is portrayed. The mockery, the devilish angels, and the ability to call and argue with God on Her cell add to the saga that is this play. The depression of the events that unfold leading up to Dr. King’s assassination unveil a sordid tale. Yet, the seriousness of his life, legacy, and racial issues do not come across strongly in this play. They are downplayed in epic proportions.

Don’t get me wrong, Angela Bassett delivers a solid performance, as stretched as it may be! Samuel Jackson is as convincing as he always is.

Is it worth the price of admission? Well, for what we paid, no. However, if you can come across discounted tickets, and would like the opportunity to see Samuel Jackson and Angela Bassett up close and personal, then you may be able to overlook the shallowness.