THE KING AND I IS ROYALLY ENTERTAINING
Susan Ann Powers and three of the Royal Children from the King & I.
THE KING AND I, Music by Richard Rodgers, Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on “Anna and the King of
THE KING AND I IS ROYALLY ENTERTAINING
There are many vignettes surrounding the initial production of The King and I, one being that it was originally conceived by Gertrude Lawrence as a vehicle for her return to the musical stage. After being turn down by Cole Porter, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein II snapped it up, but there is more to the story. Rex Harrison, Noël Coward and Alfred Drake turned down the role of the King and it was given to Yul Brynner. It ran on Broadway for 1246 performances in 1951 becoming a hit movie in 1956 with Byrnner becoming inexpugnably associated as “The King” and at final count played the role over 4,000 times. Of many who have played the role of Anna, none gained the adulation heaped on Brynner. You now have the chance to see a superb performance by Susan Himes Powers as she invests the role with charm, wit and strength with her voice and stage presence in Broadway By The Bay’s royal production.
Based on the book “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon the musical tells the story of a widowed British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowen (Susan Himes Powers), who travels to Siam to teach the royal children and wives of King Mongkut (Jared Lee). Accompanying her is Louis (Hunter Lowdon) her pre-teen son. The setting is
From the start, the superb score is a succession of memorable songs beginning with “I Whistle a Happy Tune” in scene one and in scene two “Hello, Young Lovers” that has become love ballad standard that Powers nails receiving one of her many well-earned applauses. Then we are treated to a visual feast of costumes, first with the many wives followed by an impressive procession the “March of the Siamese Children.” Jared Lee shows his ability with humor in “A Puzzlement” although I do not wish to hear the phase "etcetera, etcetera, etcetera" ever again.
With a 44-member cast, an orchestra of 22 musicians, sumptuous costumes, marvelous dancing (Jayne Zaban) and effective sets the total package is of Broadway quality. Other songs include “Getting to Know You”, “We Kiss in the Shadows”, “Something Wonderful”, “I Have Dreamed” and the showstopper “Shall We Dance.” Congratulations to the dancers with their many turns on stage and their rendition of “The Little House of Thomas” is one of the best I have seen. There are many accolades to pass out among which are the secondary performances by Jacqueline De Muro (Lady Thaing), Romar De Claro (Lun Tha), Meryll Locquiao (Tuptim), James Zongus (Prince Chululongkorn) and to ALL the children and wives.
Jared Lee does a very creditable job with the difficult role of the King. It is Susan Ann Powers’ show as she dominates the lead role of Anna and has great comic timing in her capitulation to never allowing her head to be above that of the King. The only caveat is that the show runs a full three hours with a 20-minute intermission. Believe me, although may become aware of the running time it is time well rewarded.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinterentmagazine.com