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The King and I 1951

Ages: 12+
Opened: March 29, 1951

The King and I - 1951 Broadway History , Info & More

St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY

Based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon

Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic about English widow Anna who comes to teach western ways to the royal family of Siam and in turn learns to love and respect the exuberant king. A fun show for the whole family!


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What Was the Golden Age of Broadway?
by Team BWW - Feb 19, 2022


We're studying up on musical theatre's most glorious time- the Golden Age. What was the Golden Age of Broadway all about and what years did it cover? Learn all about the period which began in the 1940s and produced some of the most iconic musicals.

TOP 10: Lo mejor de Richard Rodgers
by Nuria Pedret - Jun 28, 2021


Con motivo del aniversario del compositor americano, que es uno de los únicos EGOT, queremos hacer un repaso de sus obras más conocidas.

BWW Blog: Rating Rodgers & Hammerstein's Musical Collaborations
by Student Blogger: Brenton Kniess - Nov 2, 2020


The collaboration of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein has created some of the best musicals in musical theatre history, as well as written some of the most iconic go to audition songs

The 101 Greatest Musical Theatre Characters (1940-2020)
by Peter Nason - Apr 30, 2020


BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best musical theatre characters from 1940-2020; see if your favorites are on our list of the best characters from Broadway musicals.

BWW Exclusive: COME FROM AWAY Joins Band of Historical Musicals
by Daniella Parcell - Mar 12, 2017


Opening tonight on Broadway, Come From Away spotlights the town of Gander, Newfoundland, which became the temporary home of over 6,000 passengers whose planes were rerouted during the 9/11 attacks. In its dramatization of real-life figures such as Beverley Bass, a stranded pilot portrayed by Jenn Colella, and Claude Elliott, the Gander mayor brought to life by Joel Hatch, the musical provides a historical recount of the week following 9/11, heavily inspired by true stories of the compassion and camaraderie that came about in Gander.

Trinity Rep to Close Season with OKLAHOMA!
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 6, 2016


?Trinity Rep closes out its 52nd season Rebels, Renegades and Pioneers with Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, directed and choreographed by 2015 Emmy Award winner Richard Jenkins and Sharon Jenkins. Oklahoma! runs May 5-June 5, 2016.

Rodgers and Hammerstein Biography Will Hit Shelves in 2018
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 29, 2015


According to the New York Times, Henry Holt will publish Todd S. Purdum's 'Rodgers and Hammerstein' in 2018- the 75th anniversary of the composing team's first musical, Oklahoma!. The biography will follow both their contributions to musical theatre, as well as their personal lives.

David Engel, Jason Graae and More Set for Rubicon's RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 16, 2015


The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues with three concerts celebrating the genius of two of the most prolific and most important writing teams in musical theatre history in a show entitled RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN.

David Engel, Jason Graae and More Set for Rubicon's RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN This Weekend
by BWW News Desk - May 11, 2015


The Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Broadway Musical Concert Series at Rubicon Theatre Company continues with three concerts celebrating the genius of two of the most prolific and most important writing teams in musical theatre history in a show entitled RODGERS & HART & HAMMERSTEIN.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection Out Today on Amazon
by BWW News Desk - May 6, 2014


Songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II brought melodies and words to life in some of the most iconic movie musicals of the 20th Century, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plans to bring that magic home with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection today, May 6.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection Out 5/6 on Amazon
by BWW News Desk - Apr 10, 2014


Songwriting team Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II brought melodies and words to life in some of the most iconic movie musicals of the 20th Century, and now Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment plans to bring that magic home with The Rodgers & Hammerstein Blu-ray Collection on May 6. This Amazon-exclusive collection will feature six of the 15-time Academy Award- winning movie musicals by the Oscar- Tony- Pulitzer- Grammy- Emmy-Award-winning team of Rodgers & Hammerstein, including Best Picture winner The Sound of Music, Oklahoma!, The King and I, South Pacific, State Fair and Carousel.

It's A Grand Night For Singing! BWW Rounds Up the Rodgers & Hammerstein Canon
by BWW Special Coverage - Dec 8, 2013


After NBC's foray into musical theatre with last week's live broadcast of The Sound of Music starring Carrie Underwood, and with Laura Osnes' Cinderella sashaying on the Great White Way, the continued sway of Broadway composer-lyricist duo Rodgers & Hammerstein is unmistakable. In honor of their legacy, BroadwayWorld has rounded up some of the highlights of the Rodgers & Hammerstein cannon.

Diablo Theatre Presents A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, Now thru 12/7
by BWW News Desk - Nov 29, 2013


As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful A Grand Night for Singing, a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run tonight, November 29-December 7 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Hugh Jackman Stars in Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! on PBS's Great Performances Tonight
by TV News Desk - Nov 15, 2013


Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of 'Les Miserables'- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, tonight, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances

Diablo Theatre Company Presents Revue of Rodgers and Hammerstein A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING, 11/29-12/7
by Courtnie Mele - Nov 12, 2013


As a holiday treat, Diablo Theatre Company offers up the delightful A Grand Night for Singing, a romantic, entertaining revue of music by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the duo who created songs that are standards of musical theater and American popular culture. The show will run November 29-December 7 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts.

Hugh Jackman Stars in Rodgers & Hammerstein's OKLAHOMA! on PBS's Great Performances, 11/15
by Caryn Robbins - Nov 8, 2013


Great news for Hollywood and Broadway fans: Hugh Jackman-who recently starred in the worldwide hit film version of "Les Miserables"- can be seen again in his breakout musical role as cowpoke Curly in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!, Friday, November 15 at 9 p.m. on THIRTEEN's Great Performances

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Now thru 12/2
by BWW News Desk - Oct 27, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays tonight, October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Berkeley Playhouse Opens 5th Season with THE SOUND OF MUSIC, 10/27-12/2
by BWW News Desk - Sep 15, 2012


Berkeley Playhouse opens its fifth season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved final collaboration, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. Berkeley Playhouse founding Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy helms this endearing family classic, featuring a cast of 40, with musical direction by Greg Mason and choreography by Staci Arriaga. THE SOUND OF MUSIC plays October 27 through December 2 (Press opening: October 27) at the Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre Thru 3.4
by BWW News Desk - Mar 4, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre brings the wide open plains to Seattle with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Mar 3, 2012


As previously announced, OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning tonight (check local listings).

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by BWW News Desk - Feb 3, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Matthew Morrison to Host Oscar Hammerstein Tribute on PBS, 3/3
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 18, 2012


PBS announced today that OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II - OUT OF MY DREAMS will premiere on PBS stations beginning March 3, 2012 (check local listings). Hosted by Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe nominated Matthew Morrison (Glee), who starred in the 2008 Tony-winning revival of South Pacific as Lieutenant Cable, the film is a celebration of the most acclaimed lyricist and librettist of the 20th century, the man who worked in the theater for over 40 years, writing the lyrics for over a thousand songs and the libretti for dozens of operettas and musicals performed on Broadway, in London and in Hollywood films. His legendary works include Rose-Marie (1924), Show Boat (1927), Oklahoma! (1943), Carousel (1945), South Pacific (1949), The King and I (1951) and The Sound of Music (1959). Brimming over with movie clips from his greatest musicals, this new PBS special features interviews with Stephen Sondheim, Harold Prince, Shirley Jones, Mitzi Gaynor, Hammerstein family members and others.

Eric Ankrim, Alexandra Zorn Lead OKLAHOMA! At 5th Avenue Theatre 2.3-3.4
by Gabrielle Sierra - Jan 13, 2012


The 5th Avenue Theatre is bringing the wide open plains to Seattle this February with a reimagining of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Oklahoma!

Kendra Kassebaum, Jennifer Paz to Lead 5th Avenue's CINDERELLA; Full Cast Announced!
by Kelsey Denette - Oct 28, 2011


An all-star cast of Seattle celebrities will waltz onto the stage of The 5th Avenue Theatre in a holiday ball audiences will never forget: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Under the direction of Seattle's own Brandon Ivie, this enchanting fairy tale features Jennifer Paz of Miss Saigon as Cinderella and Wicked star Kendra Kassebaum as the Fairy Godmother, as well as local luminaries Suzanne Bouchard, Nick Garrison, Sarah Rudinoff, Brandon O'Neill, Cynthia Jones, Allen Fitzpatrick, and Greg McCormick Allen.

Reprise Theatre Company Presents Richard Rodgers Celebration 10/2-11/2; Porter, Gaynor, Bean And More To Star
by BWW News Desk - Nov 2, 2009


Reprise Theatre Company will present a month-long Richard Rodgers Celebration October 2-November 2 in a variety of venues across Los Angeles. The series of concerts, symposiums, staged readings, screenings and cabarets will explore the diversity and scope of the work of one of the most important figures in the American Musical.

The King and I History

Other Productions of The King and I

1951   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1953   West End London Production
West End
1956   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1960   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1961   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1963   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1964   Broadway Lincoln Center Revival
Broadway
1968   Off-Broadway City Center Revival
Off-Broadway
1969   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
1973   West End London Revival
West End
1977   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1979   West End London Revival
West End
1985   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
1996   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2000   West End London Production
West End
2002   Milburn, NJ (Regional) Paper Mill Production
Milburn, NJ (Regional)
2004   US Tour Touring Revival
US Tour
2006   St. Louis, MO (Regional) St. Louis MUNY Production
St. Louis, MO (Regional)
2015   Broadway Lincoln Center Theatre Broadway Revival
Broadway
2016   US Tour Lincoln Center National Tour
US Tour
2018   West End West End Revival Prodution
West End
2024   West End
West End

The King and I - 1951 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1952 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Irene Sharaff
1952 Tony Awards Best Musical Richard Rodgers
1952 Tony Awards Best Musical Oscar Hammerstein II
1952 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical Yul Brynner
1952 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Gertrude Lawrence
1952 Tony Awards Best Scenic Design Jo Mielziner
1951 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Richard Rodgers
1951 New York Drama Critics Circle Awards Best Musical Oscar Hammerstein II

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