Harbor Lights Theater Company Opens THE KING AND I, 11/2

Harbor Lights Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins and Associate Artistic Director Jay Montgomery, completes the company's third season of professional Equity theater on Staten Island with Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, starring a cast of Broadway veterans and scores of local youth and children.

Harbor Lights' production of THE KING AND I will be directed by Broadway Veteran and long-time Sesame Street cast member Alan Muraoka. Mr. Muraoka appeared in the 1996 revival of the show on Broadway. Jerome Robbins legendary choreography will be re-constructed by Andrew Sakaguchi. THE KING AND I is the final show of Harbor Light's third season as Staten Island's only professional Equity theater company – bringing Broadway to Staten Island!

"Harbor Lights is thrilled to produce a classic musical that appeals to audiences of all ages. While the Rogers and Hammerstein's score is familiar to most people, many may not be aware that the leading lady of the show, Anna Leonowens, lived on Staten Island after teaching the King of Siam's charges in the late 1800s, " said Tamara Jenkins, FounderArtistic Director of Harbor Lights. Ms. Jenkins is playing the role of Anna in the show, a role she has played before.

"While we continue to bring Broadway to Staten Island with every show, this final production of our 2012 season also brings Staten Islanders closer to a story of a prominent author and teacher who called Staten Island her home. Whether seeing the show for the first time or enjoying its allure again, we hope that our production of THE KING AND I, as a result of Anna's Staten Island roots, imparts more meaning and reflection to our Staten Island audience and beyond," continued Jenkins.

THE KING AND I was inspired by the memoirs of Anna Harriet Leonowens, the real author and teacher. Anna was hired by King Mongkut of Siam to teach his 67 children at his royal place in Bangok. She stayed for several years, leaving Bangkok during the 1860's and settling in Staten Island. She lived on Tompkins Place for approximately three years. While on Staten Island she ran a private school for girls in West Brighton. Following that she settled in Canada and where she lived until her death in 1914.

Harbor Lights production of THE KING AND I features Mel Sagrado Maghuyop, who reprises the role of The King of Siam, which he recently played at The Walnut Street Theater Company in Philadelphia. Playing Anna is Tamara Jenkins, Founding Artistic Director of Harbor Lights (Chicago, Les Miserables, Cats), Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man, Grease, Chu Chem) plays Lady Thiang. OBIE Award winner and Staten Island resident Ron Domingo plays The Kralahome. His daughter Autumn takes the role of Princess Ying Yawolak. Other notable cast members are Jon Viktor Corpus (Chulalonghorn) from the cast of "The Godspell Cast of 2032" on Broadway.

Tickets on Sale now. Tickets are: Adult $30.00, Student w/valid ID $25.00 and children ages 3 and 17 and Senior (60+) $25.00. Recommended age: 5 and up. The show runs from November 2nd through the 18th at the Music Hall at Historic Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens.
For more information about The Harbor Lights Theater Company and to purchase tickets to the show, visit the website at www.theharborlightstheatercompany.org. Box office
phone: 866-811-4111.