Auburn’s Jaeana Davis co-stars in the critically-acclaimed “The Mountaintop”, set to play on the Central Washington University Tower Theatre stage this weekend, Jan. 6-8.

The drama, by playwright Katori Hall, is believed to be CWU’s only third African-American play staged in its 125-year history and will kick off the 2017 Martin Luther King events.

The performances are in McConnell Hall at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, with doors opening 30 minutes prior to each show. A post-show talk back is scheduled after the Sunday matinee with the director, cast and others.

Admittance is free and open to the public. Tickets can be reserved online at cwu.edu/tickets or at the door up until 10 minutes before each performance.

“The Mountaintop” debuted in London in 2009 and later premiered on Broadway in 2011.

The fictional depiction centers on Martin Luther King, Jr., during the final night before his assassination. He’s visited by a motel maid named Camae. Their conversation flirts between playful banter and a philosophical and politically charged debate.

The production will feature CWU Theatre Arts majors – Davis, a junior, and Nathaniel Hiko Addison, who will play King and Camae, respectively. Matthieu Chapman, associate professor in the theatre department, is directing the play.

“The Mountaintop” addresses contemporary issues of race, resistance and progress. Addison believes that people will be drawn to the production because of the current issues surrounding race-related events.

“There seems to be a disagreement in how we handle this issue of race and racism and in this play it doesn’t give an answer but more of like an option for people,” he said.

The CWU McConnell Hall Tower Theatre is at on campus at 400 E. University Way.