Arden Theatre to Stage"The Mountaintop,"an Intimate Reimagining of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Night

PHILADELPHIA - The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia is set to present its second production of the 2025/26 season, "The Mountaintop," a play that offers a deeply human and imaginative portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s final hours.

Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall,the 90-minute play will run on the Arcadia Stage at the Arden's Old City home from October 30 through December 14.

A Blend of History and Magical Realism

The play opens on April 3, 1968, in Room 306 of the Lorraine Motel. Dr. King, played by Akeem Davis, has just returned after delivering his historic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. As he settles in for a quiet evening, his night is interrupted by a visit from Camae, a mysterious and witty motel maid, played by Kishia Nixon.

What follows is not a simple history lesson. Over the course of their powerful conversation, the play peels back the layers of the public icon to reveal the man beneath. Audiences are invited into an intimate portrait of his humor, his profound doubts, and the human side of a leader wrestling with his own legacy and mortality.

“The Mountaintop is a play that blends history and magical realism to imagine the last night of Martin Luther King Jr's life,” says Director Brett Ashley Robinson,a Barrymore Award-winner.“It is a beautiful story of the private life of one of America's most public figures... Deeply funny, moving, and inspiring, The Mountaintop encourages audiences to dream of how to carry King's legacy forward.”

A Two-Person Powerhouse

The demanding,two-person play features a pair of powerhouse actors well-known to Philadelphia audiences.

• Akeem Davis steps into the role of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A familiar face at the Arden, Davis has starred in numerous productions including August Wilson’s King Hedley IIandA Doll’s House, for which he won a Barrymore Award. He was also the recipient of the 2015 F. Otto Haas Award for Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist.
• Kishia Nixon plays the mysterious Camae. Nixon has also appeared at the Arden in Clyde’sand the world premiere ofHoly Grail of Memphis, in addition to roles at many other regional theaters.

Tickets and Special Events

Previews for"The Mountaintop"begin on October 30,with the official opening night on November 5.

• Tickets: Single tickets start at $37 and are available at ardentheatre.org,by phone at 215.922.1122,or at the box office at 40 N.2nd Street.
• Pay-What-You-Choose Night: On Wednesday, October 29, at 7 p.m., a final dress rehearsal performance will be held as a fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the Urban Affairs Coalition’s 42nd Annual Thanksgiving Basket Program.
• Talkbacks: Post-show talkbacks with members of the artistic team will be held on Sunday, November 16, and Thursday, December 11.
• Teen Night: On Saturday, November 8, at 7 p.m., teens ages 13-18 can purchase $15 tickets, which include a post-show talkback.
• Young Friends Night: On Thursday, December 4, at 7 p.m., audience members 40 and under can use the code YFARDEN for $30 tickets, which include a pre-show networking event.

The Arden will also offer Smart Caption Glasses for performances beginning November 11,in addition to its other accessibility resources.