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The King and I

The summary is as follows: 1. Kelli O'Hara stars as Anna Leonowens, who is hired to teach the royal children and wives of the King of Siam. She develops a complex relationship and attraction with the King, played by Ken Watanabe. 2. One of the royal wives, Tuptim, played by Ashley Park, has fallen in love with another man and expresses rebellious views through her ballet performance, which increases the tensions and dangers for her. 3. The production, directed by Bartlett Sher, brings new life to the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical through the talented cast and choreography, sets and costumes.

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215 views6 pages

The King and I

The summary is as follows: 1. Kelli O'Hara stars as Anna Leonowens, who is hired to teach the royal children and wives of the King of Siam. She develops a complex relationship and attraction with the King, played by Ken Watanabe. 2. One of the royal wives, Tuptim, played by Ashley Park, has fallen in love with another man and expresses rebellious views through her ballet performance, which increases the tensions and dangers for her. 3. The production, directed by Bartlett Sher, brings new life to the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical through the talented cast and choreography, sets and costumes.

Uploaded by

api-308328735
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The King And I

Ken Watanabe as the King of Siam & Kelli O'Hara as Anna

photos by Paul Kolnick

By Michall Jeffers
A hush comes over the house. This is the moment weve been waiting for, and were not
disappointed. In the middle of the friendly dance, the King tells Mrs. Anna that holding two
hands is not how the dance is done. She agrees, and as he places his hand firmly around
her waist, theres a slight gasp from the audience. This is where the respect, friction, and
friendship of two people from vastly different worlds reveals the sexual attraction beneath
the surface. Theres real exaltation as the couple whirls around the stage to an exuberant
polka; the gorgeous lilac gown lifts in the back to show a flash of white petticoat, just so.
Shall We Dance? Absolutely!

Jake Lucas as Lewis, Kelli O'Hara as Anna

Kelli OHara makes Anna Leonowens completely her own. Shes coming to Siam with her
young son, Louis (Jake Lucas), to teach the children and, as it turns out, the many wivesof the reigning monarch to speak English; and moreover, to help them understand the world
as it is in 1860. She has a simple request: she wants her own house. Although the King has
agreed, he reneges on his promise. He wants Anna to live in the palace, like all the other
women he commands. But this Welsh woman is like no female hes ever met before. Shes
smart, spunky, and stubborn. She will get her way; the King has met his match.
OHara brings a unique blend of dignity and warmth to a role thats often played as a way
too proper repressed Victorian (Donna Murphys interpretation in the 1996 revival comes to
mind). When OHara sings Hello, Young Lovers, its obvious that shes fervently thinking
of her own romance with her late husband, Tom. This passion justifies her interference in
the affair of the King, notably Annas empathy for the gift, from the Burmese ruler, the girl
Tuptim.

Ashley Park as Tuptim & Conrad Ricamora as Lun Tha

Tuptim has fallen in love with Lun Tha (Conrad Ricamora), who has brought her to Siam.
Ashley Park is very much a Tuptim for our time. Shes not at all the shy flower weve come
to expect from the stereotype of subservient Asian woman. Shes educated; she speaks far
better English than the King. Shes creative; she both writes and directs an adaptation of
her favorite book, Uncle Toms Cabin.

And shes very strong. She focuses her ballet on the idea that slavery is wrong, and that
lovers should not be expected to follow the dictates of a tyrant. This is dangerous in the
extreme; Tuptim and Lun Tha will pay dearly for this perceived insult to King.
Ken Watanabe has movie star presence as the King. Hes difficult to understand at times,
but so expressive that it hardly matters. By turns frightening, tender, and baffled, hes
always impressive. Watanabe and OHara have great chemistry; without it, this classic
Rodgers and Hammerstein musical would be been there, done that for the
audience. Tackling the role that Yul Brynner made iconic, first in 1951 onstage, then in the
1956 movie, would be daunting for most actors. But Watanabe brings a unique amount of
heart and variety to the monarch; he allows true anguish and sensitivity to show, not only
in his treatment of Tuptim, but also in his soliloquy, A Puzzlement.

Ruthie Ann Miles

Ruthie Ann Miles makes the most of her solo, Something Wonderful, to explain how much
and why Lady Thiang, the head wife, cares for her husband. The children are, of course,
adorable. The ladies of the court manage to carve out their individual characters while
remaining firmly a unit. The music soars; what a joy to hear the familiar overture before the
show begins. Choreographer Christopher Gatteli breathes new life into Tuptims ballet, The
Small House of Uncle Thomas. As beautiful as it is, it also serves to increase the tension
surrounding Tuptims impertinence. Catherine Zubers costumes are enchanting; the
aforementioned ball gown stands out, but even the underclothing worn by the wives when
they meet Sir Edward Ramsey (Edward Baker-Duly) is perfect.
Director Bartlett Sher has once again brought to life a classic of the musical theater, as he
did with the superb South Pacific in 2008. Its no coincidence that was also a Lincoln Center
production, and that OHara was the star. May this team go on to present many more
exceptional productions together, but its hard to imagine anything that could top South
Pacific and now The King and I.
After all, they dont make em like that anymore, and mores the pity.
Author: Music, Richard Rodgers; book & lyrics,Oscar Hammerstein II; based on the
novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret LandonDirector: Bartlett Sher
Choreographer: Christopher Gattelli, based on the original by Jerome Robbins

Cast: Kelli OHara (Anna Leonowens), Ken Watanabe (King of Siam), Ruthie Ann Miles (Lady
Thiang), Ashley Park (Tuptim), Conrad Ricamora (Lun Tha), Edward Baker-Duly (Sir Edward
Ramsey), Jon Viktor Corpuz (Prince Chulalongkorn), Murphy Guyer (Captain Orton), Jake
Lucas (Louis Leonowens), Paul Nakauchi (Kralahome) & Marc Oka (Phra Alack)
Music direction, Ted Sperling; Sets, Michael Yeargan; Costumes, Catherine Zuber; Lighting,
Donald Holder; Sound, Scott Lehrer; Orchestrations, Robert Russell Bennett
The King And I, Vivian Beaumont, 150 West 65 St., 212-239-6200, lct.org, through 7/5/15
Running time: 2 hours 50 minutes

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