THE KING AND I's Jose Llana Shares Touching Photos & Comments On Replacing Ken Watanabe: 'Honored'

THE KING AND I prepares to welcome a brand new king tomorrow!

Lincoln Center Theater revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's beloved classic musical The King and I starring Ken Watanabe and Kelli O'Hara recently took home several 2015 Tony Awards including Best Revival Of A Musical, Best Actress In A Musical, Best Featured Actress In A Musical and more and a fresh social media post by incoming King Jose Llana praising the original headliner of Bartlett Sher's new production is now available to view.

Today Llana utilized his Instagram account to post a heartwarming photo of himself embracing Watanabe, writing, "Honored to inherit Siam from this kind and generous man. @kingandibway #kenwatanabe @watanabe @lctheater".

Additionally, Llana shared a pic of himself alongside cast-mate Ashley Park and several of his young co-stars, commenting, "Some of my new leading ladies. @kingandibway @lctheater @ashleyparklady".

Of note, Llana steps into the role of the King on July 14.

The official description of RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN'S THE KING AND I is as follows: "Tony Award® winner Kelli O'Hara (The Light in the Piazza, South Pacific) and Academy Award® nominee Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Inception) star in a magnificent new Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved The King and I.. Tony winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific) directs this classic tale of a British schoolteacher's unexpected relationship with the imperious King of Siam. Featuring a cast of more than 50, choreography based on the original by Jerome Robbins, and a score of treasured songs including "Getting to Know You," "I Whistle a Happy Tune" and "Shall We Dance?" in their glorious, original orchestrations, Lincoln Center Theater's new staging of The King and I invites you to get to know this inspiring and enchanting musical classic."

More information on THE KING AND I is available at the official site here.

Jose Llana is set to appear on Broadway as the King in THE KING AND I starting on July 14 as well as having participated in numerous notable mainstage productions including RENT, WONDERLAND, FLOWER DRUM SONG and more in addition to HERE LIES LOVE, SATURN RETURNS, THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO, FALLING FOR EVE and more Off-Broadway and beyond.

View the new photos of Jose Llana preparing for Lincoln Center Theater's THE KING AND I below.

Photo Credits: Instagram