Laura Michelle Kelly & Kevin Gray to Lead THE KING AND I at the Muny

The Muny has announced principal casting for the seventh and final show of its 94th season, The King and I, August 6-12, directed by Rob Ruggiero and choreographed by Ralph Perkins. The King and I is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.

Making her Muny debut as Anna Leonowens is Laura Michelle Kelly. Kevin Gray, playing The King of Siam, returns to The Muny after previously playing the Engineer in Miss Saigon (2001). Rounding out the cast are Joan Almedilla as Lady Thiang, Joshua Dela Cruz as Lun Tha, and Alan Ariano as the Kralahome.

“I am thrilled to be able to bring this classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical back to the Muny stage,” said Executive Producer Mike Isaacson. “The Muny audience is going to once again fall in love with The King and I.”

The Muny’s production features scenic design by Michael Schweikardt. Sound design is by Jason Krueger, lighting design by John Lasiter, and costume coordination by Robin McGee. Brad Haak serves as the musical director, and the production stage manager is Harold Goldfaden.

Laura Michelle Kelly (Anna Leonowens) Broadway: Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins), Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel). London’s West End: The original Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins - Olivier Award), My Fair Lady (Eliza), Speed The Plow (Karen), Lord of the Rings: The Musical (Galadriel), Beauty and the Beast (Belle), Whistle Down the Wind (Swallow), Peter Pan (Wendy), Les Misérables (Eponine), Mamma Mia! (Sophie). Film: Sweeney Todd (Lucy and beggar woman, directed by Tim Burton), and the upcoming movie, Goddess (2012
Cannes Film Festival). Recipient: Awarded Voice of Musical Theatre. Numerous radio, TV and concert appearances including Albert Hall, Hampton Court Palace, Royal Opera House, Millennium Stadium, Buckingham Palace and last year she performed for President Obama for the 4th of July celebrations. "As a little girl I played the part of Princess Ying Yaowalak with my family in The King and I, so this story holds a dear place in my heart!”

Kevin Gray (The King) Broadway, off-Broadway, national tours: The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, The King and I, A Little Night Music, Titanic, Jesus Christ Superstar, Show Boat, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Chu Chem, Night of the Iguana, The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Pacific Overtures, The Baker's Wife, The Death of Garcia Lorca, The Knife, and Lola. Regional: Oliver!, Evita, Man of La Mancha, Jekyll and Hyde, Funny Girl, Kismet, Irma La Douce, Threepenny Opera, The Fantasticks, Carousel, Romance Language, The Real Thing, Colorados, All's Well That Ends Well, Richard III, The Tempest, Macbeth. TV: Law & Order
SVU, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Linc's, The Equalizer, Miami Vice, The Guiding Light, One Life to Live, and Ryan's Hope. He is married to Dodie Pettit, with whom he co-wrote the musical Dracula: the Covenant, and A Frog's Tale, a children’s musical audio book. Kevin serves on the faculty of Hartt School Theater Division of the University of Hartford.

The Muny’s group sales office offers a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more, and is taking orders now. For more information or to make reservations, call (314) 361-1900, extension 308.
Single tickets are available at The Muny Box Office in Forest Park, online or by phone. For more information, call (314) 361-1900 or visit www.muny.org.