North Shore Music Theatre Presents THE KING AND I

The award-winning North Shore Music Theatre is transporting audiences back to 1862 Siam with the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, THE KING AND I, starring Lorenzo Lamas, opening today -and playing through Sunday, October 9.  

"I am excited to bring The King and I back to the NSMT stage after a 25 year absence," says NSMT's owner and producer, Bill Hanney. "I am also thrilled to have the multi-talented television, film and stage star Lorenzo Lamas starring as the King. Under the direction of Richard Stafford, who has staged some of NSMT's biggest hits, including Singin' in the Rain, Swing! and Cats, The King and I promises to be classic musical theatre at its best."

This captivating and timeless treasure of wills, wits and wisdom has been enchanting audiences for almost 60 years. Set against an exotic background, THE KING AND I is the moving true story of a young English widow and her son who travel to Siam to tutor the King's children. In Siam, she encounters an unfamiliar world full of grand beauty, but mixed with rigid Old World traditions. As the King decides how to bring his country into a new age, he and Anna begin to see beyond traditions and prejudices into what makes people special and what makes a man a true king. The lush Rodgers and Hammerstein score includes "Getting to Know You," "Shall We Dance?" "I Whistle A Happy Tune" and "Hello, Young Lovers."

THE KING AND I will star Lorenzo Lamas as the King of Siam. Lorenzo Lamas is an International Film, Television, and Stage Actor, Director, Producer, and Singer. With over four decades in the entertainment industry, Lorenzo is recognized as one of the World's most admired stars. Best known for his nine year run as Lance Cumson on "Falcon Crest," and for his five year run as Reno Raines on "Renegade." Lorenzo's other stage roles include Zach in A Chorus Line, Dracula in Dracula, El Gallo in The Fantasticks directed by Tom Jones, the original writer.

Kate Fisher will play the role of Anna at North Shore Music Theatre. Kate has stared as Cosette in the Broadway production of Les Misérables and originated the role of Jo March in the National Tour of Little Women. Kate will be joined on stage by Joshua Dela Cruz (Lun Tha), Mel Sagrado Maghuyop (The Kralahome), Manna Nichols (Tuptim), Ron Wisniski (Captain Orton, Sir Ramsey) and Brookline resident, Lisa Yuen (Lady Thiang). THE KING AND I also features two local young performers, Gloucester resident Jack Favazza as Anna's son Louis and Methuen resident Ellis Gage as the Prince

The ensemble includes Karl Josef Co, Lynn Craig, Jan Javier, Anna Laghezza, Paul HeeSang Miller, Rommel Pierre O'Choa, Rumi Oyama, Marcus Shane, Laura Yen Solito, Sai Somboon, Maxine Stewart, Jee Teo, and Tiffany Toh.

Rounding out the cast of THE KING AND I will be 8 additional local young performers: Beverly residents Nekhebet Juch (age 12) and Uatchet Juch (age 12), Middleton resident Kendall Klipper (age 9), Needham residents Alana Tow (age 8) and Mikayla Tow (age 5), Revere resident Brandon Barbosa (age 9), Salem resident Elizabeth Pasquale (age 9), and Wenham resident Abby Spinney (age 8)

Richard Stafford returns to North Shore Music Theatre to direct and choreograph THE KING AND I. Richard's work is seen around the country, and his previous hits at NSMT include Crazy for You, Singin' in the Rain, Fame, Swing!, and Cats. The creative team also includes Craig Barna (Musical Director), Erik D. Diaz (Scenic Designer), Jack Mehler (Lighting Designer), Paula Ninestein (Costume Coordinator), Gerard Kelly (Wigs and Hair Designer), Melissa Daroff (Production Stage Manager), Cassandra Marsh (Assistant Musical Director), Jesse Factor (Associate Choreographer), and Natalie A. Lynch (Assistant Stage Manager). The local children's ensemble will be taught by Karen Maria Pisani (Choreography) and Robert L. Rucinski (Music).

Tickets for the KING AND I are priced from $35 - $65. Performances are September 27 - October 9, Tue - Thurs at 7:30 pm, Fri & Sat at 8 pm, matinees Wed, Sat and Sun at 2 pm. For tickets and information call (978) 232-7200, visit www.nsmt.org, or visit the box office in person at 62 Dunham Rd., Beverly, Massachusetts.

Additional Free Audience Enrichment events: Meet the Theatre: post-show audience discussion with the artists on October 4 after the 7:30 pm performance October 8 after the 2 pm performance; OUT at the North Shore, an evening for the Gay and Lesbian Community with a post-show reception (sponsored in part by Ryan & Wood Inc. Distilleries and Sparkling Soirées) on October 6after the 7:30 pm performance.

The 2011 season continues with Legally Blonde (November 1 - 13), and concludes with the return of New England's brightest holiday tradition A Christmas Carol, December 2 -23, starring David Coffee as Ebenezer Scrooge.