Tony Award Nominee Jon Michael Hill discusses his latest role as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop

The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, directed by Patricia McGregor, stars Tony Award nominee Jon Michael Hill and Amanda Warren. 

After giving his influential “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Tony Award nominee Jon Michael Hill, Elementary, Superior Donuts) retires to the Lorraine Motel where he meets Camae (Amanda Warren, East New York, Dickinson, Gossip Girl), a mysterious maid with some unexpected news. The legacy of America’s most renowned civil rights activist is exposed to show his genuine humanity as a lightning storm rages outside. 

The actors graciously gave The Official Black Magazine an interview so that we could understand more about why this play is so important to them and what they hope the audience will take away from it.  

Here is what we discussed with Jon Michael Hill 

Cox: Jon Michael Hill, you are talented artists, creatives, and entertainers. Before getting into this fantastic production, The Mountaintop, I want to know who Jon Michael Hill is. 

Hill: You know, I would have to say that with all those things you said, I’m an artist at the end of the day. It’s because I’m interested in a lot of different things. For example, growing up, I played music, which included writing music in my free time. Because I have a deep interest and passion for writing, I’ve been training myself on it and working on some exciting things that I hope come to fruition. 

Cox: As a writer, what do you love most? 

Hill: I love telling diverse and unique stories. I want to write about things that are going to move people. And I want to use all the tools I have been given to do that, which include directing, producing, television, film, and theater. I want to do all these things on a larger scale and for as long as possible. 

Cox: You love to create things that move people. What is it about the experience of moving people, whether through acting or writing? 

Hill: It’s about the imagination. There is no greater feeling than watching something that seems familiar but can surprise you somehow. I think that’s part of what we all crave as humans. We want to be surprised and, at the same time, have our expectations subverted. That’s why comedy makes us laugh. It gets you to think differently about things. People are challenged in different ways. 

The duty of the artist is to reflect on the times and not just tell a story for its own sake. I’ve been fortunate enough that much of my recent work has been inspiring and has a theme or message for a call to action. 

Cox: Speaking of inspiring, what was it about The Mountaintop that drew you in? What made you know this was a production you needed to be part of? 

Hill: The play has everything I love because it focuses on the writing and the individuals. It initially intimidated me because it was evoking such a well-known icon. I didn’t know my tools would be able to bring his voice to life. But Patricia McGregor (the director) assured me that she was looking for how King lives in all of us. So, what does his spirit look like in my body in this version? It took the pressure off me after we had this discussion. 

I think that’s one of the challenges we, as actors, face when doing a biopic. We don’t want to make it feel like we are making impressions of the person. And that was the trap I was afraid of falling into. I’m thankful for Particia’s words of encouragement during our conversation. She gave me the commitment that I could make these words my own and bring this story to life. 

Cox: The play has gotten so many great reviews that people can’t stop raving about it. What do you think people are getting out of this experience? 

Hill: They get to experience the humanity of an icon. There were things we weren’t privy to concerning Dr. King’s life and the cost of his calling, including being away from his family and his grueling schedule. He dealt with much criticism from white and Black people during that time. It was an extremely burdensome existence for him. 

You get to see all of this with the passion Katori Hall used when writing it. And with the inclusion of the character Camae, played by Amanda Warren. She is the perfect foil for what Dr. King needs at the time that is taking place in the play. It allows him to explore every aspect of his inner life, which is thrilling. 

Cox: When we look at a play like this that explores the human side of people, why do you think works like these are necessary? 

Hill: A play like this allows for a larger conversation in society. We live in a culture obsessed with celebrities and putting people on pedestals. This way of thinking and looking at certain people crystallizes their messages in a way that doesn’t allow for a whole conversation. But if we accept each other for our entire selves, it will enable us to have conversations about what it means to have flaws, understand them, and ultimately move past them. 

This is deeply important to us, and this play does it nicely! I love it. 

Cox: What’s something you find interesting about Camae throughout the play? 

Hill: Camae is unfiltered, which is refreshing. I think about it because if I met Dr. King during that time, I would be insecure about what I would say and try to put my best self forward the whole time. It’s refreshing to see a character like hers who holds her own the entire time she is with Dr. King. 

It was so smart of Katori to write her character this way. Because people get to see the Camae inside of them. A person who can hold so many different truths at the same time 

Cox: Was there anything you learned as a person about Dr. King as you were preparing for the role and going through the script? 

Hill: Yeah, looking into the context of what he was doing at the time, I didn’t realize he had lost favor with a large percentage of the Black community. A poll revealed that about 50 to 60 percent of the Black community was critical of his choice of methods. It was so polarizing for him then because he was dealing with these things on all fronts. 

Cox: Last question before you go! What are you hoping people take away from experiencing The Mountaintop? 

Hill: I hope people are left with a sense of agency and know their voice matters in our society. And to have a desire to be active participants in this experience. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Monday: No performance

Tuesday – Friday: 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 3:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Sunday: 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Closing Night is July 9, 2023

LOCATION

Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse

10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets currently priced at $39.00 – $129.00. Available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply.  Rush tickets for each day’s performance are made available to the general public one hour before showtime at the box office. $35.00 General/$15.00 Student.