Review: KING & I was a Double Delight

You're in for more of a reflection than a review, just to warn you. With the show closing today in Minneapolis, I wanted to still write something and here it is.

I've seen a lot of theatre. And over the years, with only a community theatre production of THE KING AND I available to me in Minnesota, it never was one of my favorites. All that changed in January 2016. I had flown to NYC to attend the first BroadwayCon and the night before it began, I secured tickets to see Lincoln Center Theater's production of the show. Admittedly, it was primarily a draw for me to see Kelli O'Hara live on stage again. I adore her. I'd watched her turn as Anna on the Tony Awards broadcast and was enchanted, as most were, and I knew seeing her in the production in New York would be fabulous.

I was not prepared for what I saw that night -- likely one of the most amazing stage productions I'd ever seen in person. From the moment the ship sailed downstage over the orchestra pit with Ms. O'Hara standing above me just feet away through the Uncle Tom's Cabin ballet to the sweet and funny relationship between the King and Anna, I was enthralled. My husband, a valiant theatre-goer as he married an absolute theatre crazed woman who drags him to many shows a month, was even in love with it. We were wowed so much that neither of us could imagine a better performance.

At that first BroadwayCon, I sat in a panel discussion of the creative team from the show the very next day. Talent oozes from these people and it was a pleasure to listen and learn from the minds that dreamt up this show that had blown my mind and won my heart. They also talked about how they were going to take it on tour and the changes that would require -- going from a thrust to a proscenium stage and moving all the large set pieces on the road. It would obviously be different but they had ideas of how to keep the grandeur of the original production.

Slightly over a year later, this week, my husband and I were treated again to Bartlett Sher's gorgeous production of THE KING AND I at Minneapolis' Orpheum Theatre. While I cannot say that it had the same effect as that first glorious time in NYC, I was thoroughly pleased by what was brought to the local stage. (It would be hard to completely replicate that night between the magic of seeing it the first time and having amazing seats just a few rows off the thrust of the Lincoln Center Theatre.)

The ship sailing into port was still accomplished with similar flair. The rich colors of the set and lighting (Michael Yeargan and Donald Holder, respectively) brought me back to that year-ago night and while I was many rows away, it still was a grand entrance for the lovely Laura Michelle Kelly (Anna) and her young son Louis, played by Graham Montgomery.

The performances of Kelly and Jose Llana (King) were simply delightful. They were every bit as charming as the previous cast and their relationship on stage was one of respect, humor and growth. Kelly looked amazing in every one of Catherine Zuber's elaborate, big dresses with her hoop skirts swaying in every direction. Her pure soprano soared through the Orpheum's vast space. Llana was a mixture of authoritative king and naughty young boy -- someone who was used to getting what he wanted always, and completely unaware of his shortcomings. Together, they were enchanting and kept the show engaging at every turn.

The rest of the cast were just as stellar -- especially Manna Nichols (Tuptim), who was last seen at the Guthrie Theater as Liat in SOUTH PACIFIC last summer, and Joan Almedilla (Lady Thiang). (Coincidentally, Llana was also previously seen by this writer at the Guthrie in their production of Martin Guerre many, many years ago... great to see so many quality actors return to the city time and again.)

While THE KING AND I could be easily seen as too old fashioned and out of touch due to the story elements, it is a historical piece, so that does not bother me at all. I actually thought one could make a case for the relevance of the show of the authoritarian leader wanting and getting everything he demands with some of the politics of the day, but who wants to muddy the loveliness of this show with thoughts of that? Just see this show if you get the opportunity in the future -- another city on the tour, if you're lucky. For me, seeing it twice was a double delight and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to see an old-fashioned musical be reimagined into a modern production that was a beautiful experience in every way. It just goes to show that there is plenty of life in these shows when put into the right hands.

Photo: Jose Llana and Laura Michelle Kelly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I; Photo by Matthew Murphy

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