BY TAMECA JOHNSON
Freelance Writer

We’re just days away from the official dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D. C. However, on Thursday, October 13th, a play depicting the final hours of the Civil Rights icon’s life will officially open on Broadway in New York City and everyone, from Tom Joyner to the ladies of The View is talking about it.

The fictional portrayal of King stars Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett and is directed by acclaimed actor Kenny Leon. Leon and Bassett are both products of the Tampa Bay area. (See Florida Sentinel October 7 issue).

Members of the Leon family in the Tampa Bay area are: Jackie Baker (sister), Tony Leon (brother), Annie Ruth Holtzclaw (mother), Johnnie Holtzclaw (father) and LaJuan Leon (sister-in-law).

Leon’s family still calls the Tampa area home and traveled to Manhattan yesterday for the play’s opening night.  His parents and siblings say they make their way to Broadway every time Leon debuts a play.

There is talk that Leon, who received a Tony Award nomination last year for his work on the play Fences, with Denzel Washington, will be nominated once again for his work on The Mountaintop. (Pictures Courtesy of Ishmon Johnson)

Pictured (right): Captured on Broadway a few days ago were, Kenny Leon, Director of The Mountaintop and Katori Hall, Writer of The Mountaintop.