Lamas, deBenedet & Montalban Set for ME 'The King and I'

The Ogunquit Playhouse has announced that Lorenzo Lamas, Rachel deBenedet, and Paolo Montalban will star in its production of The King and I.

Lamas, best known for his television work on "Falcon Crest," "The Bold and the Beautiful," and "Renegade" will make his Ogunquit Playhouse debut as the King of Siam. The production, which runs August 7 – August 25, will also feature Rachel deBenedet, in the role of Anna. deBenedet's Broadway credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and the revivals of Nine and The Sound of Music. Playing the role of Lun Tha and rounding out the cast is television star and Playhouse favorite, Paolo Montalban, who played the role of the Prince in the ABC-TV film of Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston and who reprised that role in last season's Ogunquit Playhouse production of Cinderella, starring Leslie Uggams. 

"Winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, this legendary score, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein, contains some of the most memorable songs in the American songbook including 'Getting to Know You,' 'Shall We Dance,' and 'Hello Young Lovers.' Broadway actor and producer, Steven Yuhasz will direct this dramatic and uplifting tale of a young English widow, Anna, and her stormy relationship with the King of Siam. Susan Kikuchi, who played several roles in the 1977 and 1996 revivals of the Broadway production, will choreograph as this unconventional love story is recreated on the historic Playhouse stage. Adding to the grandeur and excitement, this production will feature the Tony Award-winning costumes from the 1996 revival.," state press notes.

"Many generations have enjoyed this timeless classic since its debut on Broadway in 1952," notes Brad Kenney, Executive Artistic Director, "and with the powerful presence of Lorenzo Lamas, the elegance of Rachel deBenedet, and the one and only Paolo Montalban, The King and I is sure to shine as one of the true diamonds of this 75th Anniversary Season."

Show Sponsors for The King and I are Kennebunk Savings Bank, Norseman Resorts, Meadowmere Resort, The Weekly Sentinel, Maine Home and Design Magazine and Burgess Advertising, together with our corporate sponsors Lexus of Portland, Anchorage by the Sea, Five-O Shore Road and Caffe Prego.

Performances of The King and I begin Tuesday, August 7 and run through Saturday, August 25; Tuesday-Friday evenings at 8:00 PM, Saturday Evenings at 8:30 PM, weekday matinees Wednesday and Thursday at 2:30 PM and new for 2007, Sunday matinees at 3:30 PM. Tickets are available now at the Ogunquit Playhouse Box Office at 207. 646. 5511 or by visiting the website at www.ogunquitplayhouse. org, where the box office never closes.

Photo of Lorenzo Lamas by Mark Rupp

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