Rodney King's place in U.S. history takes center stage

A show at the Penumbra Theatre that's resonating with audiences amid the current discussion on race is getting rave reviews.

"Rodney King" is a simple production. It's a one-man show featuring Roger Guenveur Smith about the man at the center of a pivotal moment in American race relations.

To most people King is only known for two things: He's the man who was videotaped in 1991 being beaten by police officers in Los Angeles, and he uttered the famous plea "can we all get along?" during the riots after the officers were acquitted.

But Smith said there's much more to King's life and death than what we've seen in the media.

The play ends with the speech that King made during the post-verdict riots. Smith said it's important to understand the context of those words.

The one-man show runs through Sunday at the Penumbra Theatre in St. Paul.