Photo Flash: First Look at Kate Baldwin, Paolo Montalban & More in Lyric Opera of Chicago's THE KING AND I

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents a stunning production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I, featuring Broadway starsKate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. Lyric Opera's The King and I runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30), with 25 performances at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. Tickets start at $29 and are available at lyricopera.org/king or at 312-827-5600. BroadwayWorld brings you a first look at the cast in action below!

The King and I is the fourth Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to be presented as part of Lyric's American Musical Initiative. Lee Blakeley, who staged the production's 2014 premiere at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, makes his Lyric directorial debut teaming up with distinguished Broadway conductor David Chase, who conducted Lyric's acclaimed Carousel last season, and choreographer Peggy Hickey.The creative team also includes costume designer Sue Blane (debut), scenic designer Jean-Marc Puissant (debut), lighting designer Rick Fisher (debut), sound designer Mark Grey, and chorus master Michael Black.

The King and I features Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome), and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang), along withSam Simahk (Lun Tha) and Chicagoland artists Charlie Babbo (Louis Leonowens), Jomar Ferreras (Interpreter), John Lister (Captain Orton),David Parkes (Sir Edward Ramsay), Peter Sipla (Phra Alack) and Matthew Uzarraga (Prince Chulalongkorn). All but Lister make their Lyric debuts with The King and I.

The all-Chicagoland children's ensemble for the production includes Sophie Mieko Ackerman, Alexis Aponte, Lilly Fujioka, Avonlea Hong,Leila Koss, Evangelyn Lee, Liliana Martens, Lucy Martens, Rika Nishikawa, Ana Joy Rowley-Mathews, Benedict Santos Schwegel, A'naam Singh, Zachary Uzarraga and Sophia Woo. These young performers range in age from 5 through 14.