Theater review: ‘The King and I’ at the Majestic Theatre

kingandicast
‘The King and I’ plays at the Majestic Theatre through Sunday October 22.  Photo: North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, used with permission.

Now playing at the Majestic Theatre is the national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater Production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘The King and I.’ There are still a few chances to catch it this weekend with show times at 8 p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at the box office and through Ticketmaster and prices start at $35. This musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher hired by the King to teach his many wives and children. It stars Jose Llana as the King of Siam and Heather Botts as Anna Leonowens.

‘The King and I’ starts off with Anna and her son Louis as they are arriving in Bangkok, “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” and are met by the King’s Prime Minister, the Kralahome. They start off on the wrong foot when he informs her that they are expected to live in the palace, which is a violation of Anna’s contract which stated that they were to have their own house. Despite this breech in contract, she agrees to keep her part of the bargain but constantly reminds the King that he must do the same. Eventually they become friends and with Anna’s help he slowly attempts to modernize Siam. Conflicts arise at the palace and Anna and the King become estranged but she returns when he is at his deathbed and stays with him until his death when his son Chulalongkorn takes over.

The cast may be big but they work together splendidly to make this Broadway favorite work. Jose Llana and Heather Botts have outstanding stage chemistry that makes this true story come to life. Show highlights include “Getting to Know You” when Anna meets the royal children and wives and “Shall We Dance” when Anna and the King dance towards the end of Act II. Especially poignant is “We Kiss in a Shadow” by Lun Tha, the slave girl and Tuptim, her forbidden lover. “The Small House of Uncle Thomas,” the ballet the Royal Singers and Dancers put on for the British guests, is visually stunning and showcases the depth of talent of the cast. With its combination of humor, drama, and spectacular singing and dancing, ‘The King and I’ appeals to all ages and the universal themes of family and love, in all its forms, are relatable and timeless.