Chenango River Theatre in Greene will close its season with Katori Hall’s historical drama, The Mountaintop, which the Associated Press called “a thrilling, wild, provocative flight of magical realism … as audacious as it is inventive.”

The play, which will run Oct. 6-22, focuses on the actions of Martin Luther King Jr. the night before his assassination in Memphis.

The action begins with King returning to the Lorraine Motel after delivering his last impassioned speech, “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop.” A mysterious maid delivers his room service, though she seems to have more on her agenda than a simple cup of coffee. What follows is a riveting, poetic journey through what might have happened before that fateful moment on April 4, 1968.

Adara Alston will make her CRT directing debut with The Mountaintop.  Alston appeared as John Wesley Powell in CRT’s 2022 production of Men on Boats. She has directed and assistant directed for Elmira Little Theatre, Franklin Stage Company and Därkhorse Drämatists, and was a part of Michael Barakiva’s Leadership Initiative Project.

Boston-based actor Dominic Carter, who will make his CRT debut as King, has appeared at theaters throughout the East Coast including Umbrella Stage Company, Hovey Players, Fort Point Theatre and SpeakEasy Stage. Carter previously played Dr. King in the Lexington Players’ production of The Mountaintop, for which he was named the 2021 AACT National Theatre Best Actor.

Also making her CRT debut is Georgina Morillo in the role of Camae. The Afro-Latina actress from Harlem trained at Syracuse University, Shakespeare’s GlobeTheatre (London, England) and The William Esper Studio.  This production marks her Actors’ Equity Association debut.

The show will feature costume, lighting and scenic/projection design from Barbara Kahl, Gary Burlew and Zach Curtis respectively.  Joshua Sedelmeyer provided intimacy and fight coordination, Laurie Brearly is the dramaturg, and the stage manager is Isabel Mendoza.

On Friday, Oct. 13, there will be a post-show talkback with the director and members of the cast.

IF YOU GO: Performances of The Mountaintop are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Oct. 6-22 at the Chenango River Theatre, 991 State Highway 12, Greene. Tickets are $27 for all performances.  The recommended way to buy tickets is at: www.chenangorivertheatre.org.  Tickets also can be purchased by calling the 24-hour box office line: 607-656-8499.

Free tickets for high school and college students are available at all evening performances.  Email tickets@chenangorivertheatre for reservations, which are required for the free ticket program.

— George Basler