The ballet in "The King and I"
The ballet in "The King and I"
#1The ballet in "The King and I"
Posted: 3/28/15 at 10:27amI love "The King and I" and look forward to seeing it in early May. I'm sure that I'm in a small minority, but I've often felt that the ballet, "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" has a tendency to drag and slow the show down. This is a long show, running about 2:50 now, and I'm wondering if the ballet seems to go on a bit too long. But, even if it does, I'm not sure how any of it could be trimmed.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#2The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 10:30amI completely disagree, I LOVE that part and if anything it goes by too quickly. It's gorgeous and we'll told and performed
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#2The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 10:39am
I saw the show this week and personally didn't find the ballet to drag at all. I have found it to drag in other productions, and especially in its detached non-contextual presentation in Jerome Robbins Broadway. But my partner, who had never seen King and I before, and who loved the production as a whole (actually, loved it more than I did), found the ballet to go on way too long.
Updated On: 3/28/15 at 10:39 AM
#3The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 10:39amAs I said, I'm sure I'm in a small minority. And I'm glad it's being performed well in this production.
CZJ at opening night party for A Little Night Music, Dec 13, 2009.
#4The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 11:34amI usually am bored by the ballets in these shows, but the king and I one is so unique I just love it
enjoyable2
Stand-by Joined: 3/13/15
#5The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 11:53amIt's so integral to the story. It tells [in metaphor] the King about Tuptim's love affair with Lun Tha; it foreshadows the death of kings, not just the death of a king. It sets up his rageful reaction after the waltz. For me, it's one of the most brilliant moments in musical theater history and a highlight in the show.
#6The ballet in
Posted: 3/28/15 at 12:05pm
I admired loads of staging choices in this revival, but for me the ballet was one of the weakest passages in the show. Very old-school, very "proscenium" even though they could have opted to really take advantage of the vast depth of the Beaumont stage to reconceive it. Scenically barren but for a blue drape that opened to reveal a version of Mielziner's original ladder to heaven (Buddha). I also pity those audience members seating directly behind Anna or the King who view the performance from the downstage corners. Just made me impatient to get on with the show.
Updated On: 3/28/15 at 12:05 PM
