The King and I
Inspired by actual events, Drury Lane Theatre brings one of the most recognized Rodgers and Hammerstein plays, The King and I, to its theater. British tutor Anna Leonowens travels to Bangkok to help the King of Siam bring his kingdom and the royal palace in line with other countries cultures. From the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s, and the novel "Anna and the King of Siam," this true-to-life story where the King seeks to modernize his country is brilliantly displayed on stage at Drury Lane.
I'm not sure if Drury Lane, at the start of this production, was trying to follow the actual introduction from the '50s with its long musical interlude. However, when the curtains finally open, we see the contents of Anna and her son Louis's baggage offloaded from Captain's Orton ship. The Captain tries to warn Anna that the Brits do not have any control in Bangkok(Now Thailand), offering to return her to the safety of British rule if she wants to return now. However, Anna informs the Captain she will proceed as planned, determined to honor her promise and complete her task. But she learns that the King's promise of her having separate lounging hasn't been honored as Prime Minister Krallahome isn't aware of such promises and orders her to follow him to the palace as instructed by the King.
Anna has to wait for weeks to see the King, and when she finally gets to chance, the two struggle with cultural differences, her role as an educator, and his arrogance and lack of social grace towards women. As the King tries to redefine his image without losing prominence, Anna refuses to give up her identity. Their battles turn into a deep admiration and love they both know could never become a reality. This tale of two different cultures where a strong-willed, widowed schoolteacher clashes with a defiant King who displays his dominance and rule over his subjects but deep inside knows he needs her help; explores the historical intricacies of class, race, and politics in 1862.
The King, which premiered at Broadway's St. James Theatre in 1951, won 13 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Revival of a Musical with the 1957 movie adaptation, was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning five, including Best Score. The play features cherished songs like "Shall We Dance?" and "Getting to Know You." Drury Lane's production of the King and I was simply magical.
In the film adaptation of The King and I, Yul Brynner, one of my favorite actors, played the role of King of Siam. Rodgers and Hammerstein originally wanted English actor Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison to play this role alongside English actress, singer, dancer, and musical comedy performer Gertrude Lawrence. However, Harrison wasn't available, paving the way for stardom for Yul Brynner.
Drury Lane's main characters of Anna and the King were played masterfully by Betsy Morgan and Adam Jacobs. Betsy Morgan's (Les Misérables and The Little Mermaid), who in 2015 was Tony winner Kelli O'Hara's standby as Anna Leonowens performance was magnificent. Her elegance and charm as Anna were phenomenal, making the audience feel like they were reliving Leonowen's life in the present. Morgan's gracefulness on stage is captivating, drawing you into this remarkable story of acceptance, kindness, and love as two souls stubbornly learn to accept each other's imperfections.
Adam Jacobs, who originated the title role of "Aladdin" in Disney's Aladdin on Broadway, is a native of Half Moon Bay, CA, and began his early performing career as a pianist studying at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music; he plays the role of The King. Although I would have liked to have seen an actor from Thailand as the original King of Siam, which I am sure many actors could have performed this role, Jacobs was sensational as the pretentious King.
We meet unforgettable Paulina Yueng and Ethan Le Phong during this two-hour and forty-five-minute production. Yueng, who plays Tuptim, a gift the King receives from the King of Burma who secretly falls in love with Le Phong's character, Lun Tha, a scholar there to design for a temple, both have incredible operatic voices and were outstanding. I love opera and sing a little myself, and I could listen to them sing all night.
But it's the royal children featuring Avelyn Choi, Dante Garcia, Enzo Garcia, Elle Laroco, Vin Laroco, Rika Nishikawa, and Alexandrya Salazar who steals the show. When the King presents Anna to her new pupils, she is to teach along with their mothers; Anna's love for the children keeps her from leaving the King after he continuously displays his rude behavior. And all of these children on stage were enjoyable getting to know them.
Sons of the Tony DeSantis, one of the nation's great theater impresarios, the third generation of DeSantis of Kyle, Drew, and Abigail Desantis, produced Drury Lane's production. Along with nephews Jason and Yom Van Lente, they took charge and continued the tremendous theatrical plays seen at The Drury.
After seeing The King and I, you will leave with a benevolent, satisfying feeling. And that's what great performances do.
Let's Play Highly Recommends, The King, and I at Drury Lane Theatre.
Drury Lane Theatre
The King and I
Music By Richard Rogers
Book & Lyrics By Oscar Hammerstein II
APRIL 1 - MAY 22, 2022
