Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Kate Baldwin, Paolo Montalban and More for THE KING AND I at the Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago released today new behind-the-scenes rehearsal images from its grand-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, featuring Broadway stars Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban as Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam. The production runs April 29 through May 22 (press opening April 30) at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the company in rehearsal below!

Principal casting for The King and I also includes Broadway artists Ali Ewoldt (Tuptim), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome) and Rona Figueroa (Lady Thiang), along with Sam 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.

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 Uzarragaand Sophia Woo. These young performers range in age from 5 through 14.

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 Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, makes his Lyric debut teaming up with distinguished Broadway conductor David Chase, who was on the podium for Lyric's acclaimed Carousel last season. The creative team also includes choreographer Peggy Hickey (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), costume designer Sue Blane and scenic designer Jean-Marc Puissant (both making their Lyric debuts).

The opening night performance of The King and I will be broadcast on 98.7WFMT and streamed on wfmt.com on Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $29 and are available now at lyricopera.org/king or at 312-827-5600.

Photo Credit: Todd Rosenberg