4-4-68 told in real time the last forty-five minutes of Martin Luther King’s life in April 1968, leading up to the time he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Playwright Jon Sen placed considerable emphasis on King’s faith, which took him through even the darkest times as he fought for civil rights. He also stressed quite significantly the fact that J.Edgar Hoover and the FBI were quite literally after King’s blood (he was ironically nicknamed ‘Zorro’) as an enemy of the state. On this view, the assassination was planned, with the FBI deliberately liquidating King. Unfortunately the play was marred by stereotyped characterization; the FBI agents were portrayed as tough-talking rogues, while King’s associates including the Revd. Jesse Jackson (Richie Campbell) perpetually plotted against him. No one actually appeared to like him, which seemed a little curious in view of his importance at that time. Danny Sapani gave a competent performance as King, but one ended up feeling sorry for the fact that his efforts for the African-American people attracted so little enthusiasm amongst his closest associates.