BWW Reviews: THE KING AND I at the Olney Theatre Center - Long Live the King

I know just about every line, lyric, and melody of the 1951 Tony winning musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, THE KING AND I. It is due to my daughter's first professional gig when she was in the fourth grade playing "Little Eva" at F. Scott Black's Towson Dinner Theatre. I had to attend every rehearsal and saw every one of her performances. And I never got tired of listening to the amazing beautiful melodious tunes. Well, that was the last time I saw THE KING AND I.

I was excited when I heard that the Olney Theatre Center would end its 75th anniversary season with this milestone musical. And then I saw who would be playing the King which caused a huge smile on my face, Paulo Montalban. It was back in December, 2006, that Montalban performed at Center Stage in a wonderful production of THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE. Playing his twin brother was Manu Narayan (from Broadway's BOMBAY DREAMS). Montalban also had Broadway roots perfomring in PACIFIC OVERTURES and THE KING AND I. But, to a generation of young people, he will always be remembered for his incredible performance in the ABC/Disney TV movie, CINDERELLA starring Brandy.

Well, I am happy to report that Montalban is just plain phenomenal as the King of Siam. He brings a combination of skills. His comedic style is hilarious, his voice powerful, and his acting ability is just plain wonderful. He has amazing stage presence and his performance is not to be missed. How has the Olney Theatre Center been able to get this talented performer? Watching Montalban on stage is just plain worth the price of admission. His solo "A Puzzlement" is just powerful. And the classic dance number with Anna "Shall We Dance" is astonishing.

But...I'm happy to report there is more...so much more. Starting with the talented Eileen Ward playing the role of Anna with such grace and beauty and a voice that is just plainly "wonderful". Ward nails her solos: "I Whistle a Happy Tune", "Hello, Young Lovers", and "Getting To Know You". Anna was originally played by the great Gertrude Lawrence opposite Yul Brenner. Lawrence is responsible for the composers writing the musical and loved it so much, I've read she was buried in her gorgious gown designed by Irene Sharaff.

Director Mark Waldrop has done a wonderful job with the casting (along with Pat McCorkle, casting consultant). Each and every role is spot on. Playing the role of Tuptim is YoonJeong Seong and as soon as she began to sing, the audience knew immediately here was an opera singer with the pipes that could shatter glass. Playing her love interest Lun Tha was the equally powerful Eymard Cabling. They have two lovely ballads together, "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed".

A highlight of the evening is the superb ballet sequence "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" choregraphed by Tara Jeanne Vallee.

But I have to admit, the oos and ahhs are reserved for the cutest young children you'll ever see on stage in the classic number "March of the Siamese Children". The roles are double cast and those who I saw were: Kylie Cooley (Topsy), Haley Davis, Kyle Davis, Justin Hong, Dulcie Pham, Josiah Segui (Prince Chulalongkorn), Momoko Sugai, Oliver Wang, and Nikki Wildy. Playing the role of Anna's son, Louis, was Henry Niepoetter. It was easy to spot the proud family members congratulating these young actors after the show.

Other standouts are Janine Sunday as Lady Thiang who sings the ballad "Something Wonderful", Alan Ariano (Kralahome), Ron Curameng (Phra Alack), and Ron Heneghan (Sir Edward, Captain Orton).

Responsible for the elegant costumes is Kendra Rai and the lovely set design is by James Fouchard (who will be doing THE DRESSER shortly at the Everyman Theatre).

The heart of the show is the orchestra under the baton of Jenny Cartney with Musical Supervision and Orchestrations by Christopher Youstra. The nine member orchestra is terrific but I do wish there were more strings.

I can't think of a more fitting holiday event for the entire family. Do not miss this. THE KING AND I runs until Dec. 29, 2013. For tickets, call 301-924-3400 or visit www.olneytheatre.org.

Next up will be HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING with George Dvorsky, Sherri L. Edelen, Sam Ludwig, Angela Miller, and Lawrence Redmond and directed by Olney Artistic Director Jason Loewith. It runs from January 29 to February 23, 2014.

cgshubow@broadwayworld.com