Ted Chapin Discusses Rodgers & Hammerstein's Influence On THE KING AND I In New Video: 'It's Very Cool To Hear'

Ted Chapin talks all things THE KING AND I!

The smash hit revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein's cherished classic musical The King and I starring 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 brand new interview with Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization president Ted Chapin is now available to view.

Chapin says, "Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein when they wrote together brought out something extraordinary in each other. And, they are really the ones who figured out that you can tell a story in musical theatre terms - with dancing, with singing, with dialogue, with drama - and that's really why they are the grandfathers of the American musical theatre as we know it today."

Furthermore, Chapin offers of the score standout "Something Wonderful", performed in the show by Tony-winner Ruthie Ann Miles, as well as the rich melodies in general, "The way Richard Rodgers was able to create music so you don't really know why you are being drawn into it - there is something about his ability to go out and just hook you. And, I think that is part of the reason why his stuff has lasted so long."

Speaking of THE KING AND I in larger terms, Chapin astutely observes, "I am struck by the universal themes that in some instances could have been written yesterday - and, there is a lot of stuff in THE KING AND I; when you hear discussion about different people getting along, trying to find common ground. It's like, you know, the ancient saying, 'A true and honest thought if you become a teacher by your pupils you will be tought;' it's not an ancient saying, Oscar Hammerstein made it up, but it's very good to hear that."

Of note, Jose Llana steps into the role of the King, replacing Ken Watanabe, 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) stars 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.

View the new video of Ted Chapin discussing Lincoln Center Theater's THE KING AND I below.

Photo Credits: LCT