Lincoln Center confirms King & I revival with Sher directing

[Musicaldudepeter]

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Official-Bartlett-Sher-to-Direct-Broadway-Revival-of-THE-KING-AND-I-Arrives-Spring-2015-20140606#.U5MOLBYX25w

Lincoln Center has confirmed that The King and I will be presented next spring 2015, directed by Bartlett Sher... Casting to be announced.

[jonartdesigns]

Well hopefully the 6th time is a charm for Kelli O'Hara.

[haterobics]

The 5th time isn't official yet.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Hope she gets her Tony for 'King' if not for 'Bridges'... When she eventually gets it, it will always be thought of as kind of a make-up win, though, unfortunately.

[ljay889]

This is going to be stunning. Great team and theater for an amazing show.

[FindingNamo]

"When she eventually gets it, it will always be thought of as kind of a make-up win, though, unfortunately."

By whom, Eeyore?

[adamgreer]

Given that O'Hara's involvement seems a foregone conclusion at this point, I'm more interested in who they get for the King.

[Gothampc]

I'm assuming "Western People Funny" will be cut.

[Musicaldudepeter]

I'll be interested to know if Sher starts fresh, or if he will follow the format/cuts designed for the 1996 revival... That production cut Western People Funny, the reprise of A Puzzlement, and in general cut a lot of the 'condescending' material like the Abraham Lincoln elephant-letter section.

The last revival seemed so innovative and perfect for this generation, that I wonder what Sher could bring to it that will be fresh and exciting...?

[ggersten]

I heard that Sher is going to set The King and I in a CIRCUS!

[Gothampc]

Word on the street is that Kelli O'Hara is not a lock for Anna. I hear that they are really interested in Adele Dazeem.

[ljay889]

Well we know that they will include the full glorious overture, which the last revival sadly cut to about a minute and a half.

I like Western People Funny and the Puzzlement reprise. I would like to see them included.

I don't feel that Sher needs to be innovative and fresh, as he's tried that with new musicals. I think he will direct a grand and faithful production that will honor the golden age, as he did with South Pacific.

[Musicaldudepeter]

I agree. Really looking forward to it. I imagine he'll be faithful and restore all dialogue and musical numbers, including the overture and entr'acte.

[Gothampc]

"I'll be interested to know if Sher starts fresh, or if he will follow the format/cuts designed for the 1996 revival."

He should really start fresh and look past the original source material. Anna was not the only teacher and the other teachers resented her man-eating Western gold-digging pushiness. So maybe they will call in a new writer to write the song "My son needs an inheritance because my bum sailor of a husband left me penniless" and "Western whore too old for King."

[HBP]

They should really learn to distance these announcements from Tony weekend...

[Gothampc]

I hope they cast an actor with a very masculine presence as the King. In the last revival, Lou Diamond Phillips didn't have the testosterone. It was like watching Nathan Lane play Stanley Kowalski.

[JohnyBroadway]

It's Lincoln Center. I imagine they will present a huge lavish full production like South Pacific! Large orchestra and all.

[RippedMan]

Not my favorite show by any means, but maybe they can turn my opinion around.

What's taking the fall slot at Lincoln Center? Has anything been announced?

[CurtainPullDowner]

Wishful thinking: Lea Salonga as Lady Thiang.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Biggest question for me is, who's going to be the King? Paolo Szot? Brian Stokes-Mitchell? Any other (serious) suggestions? For me, the show has always ridden on the dynamic between Anna and the King

[CurtainPullDowner]

Neither of your suggestions have Asian blood. I'm sure they will avoid controversy and cast a wonderful Asian Actor,

[Starship]

To be 100% honest, I do hope they cast an actor of Asian or Philippine descent for the role of the King. Yes, they loose the name power but overall I feel it would be best.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

As people have discussed in other threads, Sher cast Paolo Szot and Loretta Ables Sayre in major roles for SOUTH PACIFIC. Clearly he'll cast someone appropriate for the King without caring much for a big name, the show is the name. I couldn't be more excited about this revival! This is a fantastic show.

[Musicaldudepeter]

Kelli O'Hara will definitely sell tickets, and the show's name & venue will help sell as well... King will most likely be an unknown Asian actor.

[dreaming]

Aside from those of us on this board, I doubt the average theatergoer knows who the heck Kelli O'Hara is.

However, "The King and I" is a family friendly show, known and beloved by many. Plus, it will initially have a subscriber base to build word of mouth.

[jnb9872]

After SOUTH PACIFIC, GOLDEN BOY, JOE TURNER and others, there are few companies and creatives I'd rather trust with putting on a glorious, traditional revival of a classic than LCT & Sher together. I hope this lives up to their stellar track record (with revivals, sorry WOMEN ON THE VERGE.)