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Event
The King and I
McKinney Summer Musicals is thrilled to bring "The King and I" to the stage for our 2009 production. This musical was the sixth collaboration of the legendary team of Rodgers and Hammerstein, who also wrote such classics as "Oklahoma", "South Pacific", and "The Sound of Music".
"The King and I" is based on Margaret Landon's popular 1844 novel, "Anna and the King of Siam", which in turn is based on the memoirs of 19th century Englishwoman, Anna Leonowens. The plot centers on the recently widowed Anna, who becomes a teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860's. The King wishes to change his image as a barbarian and learn more about Western culture. Siam, modern day Thailand, has questioned the historical accuracy of the depicted events, yet the story continues to intrigue audiences.
Complete with fascinating history, exotic settings, and musical pageantry, "The King and I" also delivers a powerful story filled with themes of conflict: East versus West, civilization versus bar-barism, despotism versus democracy, and man versus woman. And no Rodgers and Hammerstein musical would be complete without love stories. There is the unique and ambiguous relationship between Anna and the King, and the forbidden love between Burmese slave Tuptim and the Burmese emissary Lun Tha. The unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein score, filled with timeless songs, such as I Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, Hello, Young Lovers, and Shall We Dance? delight listeners, while the Siamese ballet version of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel, "Uncle Toms Cabin", originally choreographed by dance legend Jerome Robbins, provides exciting visual drama.
Since opening on Broadway in 1951, "The King and I" continues to attract audiences from all over the world, including Europe, Australia, and Japan. The original Broadway production, starring Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner, won 5 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The 1956 film version, starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner, won 5 Academy Awards, including Best Actor, and the 1996 Broadway revival won 4 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. Yul Brynner's relationship to "The King and I" is unique in the history of theatre. He played the King more than 4600 times over the course of 34 yearson stage, film, and television.
The musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein resonate with each new generation. The humanity, struggles, and triumphs of the characters stand the test of time. "The King and I" is no exception.
Today "The King and I" still reigns; its majesty still shines. With its legacy assured, the final word goes to Oscar Hammerstein II. In 1956, he wrote to his partner, Richard Rodgers, "I am convinced that this is our best work. I have a kind of humble feeling of not knowing how we did it. It has more wisdom as well as heart than any other musical play by anybody. It will remain 'modern' long after any of our other plays." (www.rnh.com)
Come join McKinney Summer Musicals on an exotic journey filled with history, humor, music and drama. With a cast ranging from children to senior adults, it promises to be an adventure you won't soon forget!
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LocationMcKinney North HS Theatre
2550 Wilmeth Road
McKinney, TX 75071
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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