Harbor Lights Theater's THE KING AND I Opens Tonight, 11/3

Due to the fact that the NYC Parks Department is closing all city parks on Sunday evening at 7:00pm and keeping them closed through Monday night which includes Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, The Harbor Lights Theater Company's production of the King and I finally opens tonight, Saturday, November 3 at 8 pm rather than Friday, November 2.

The Saturday matinee for today, November 3 is also canceled. All current ticket holders are being contacted but they can reach Harbor Lights through their website and will be given a choice of a future performance of the King and I (which runs through Sunday November 18) or issued a full refund. Additional performances will be added and are to be announced.

Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden is following NYC's directive and avoid the risk of falling trees, airborne debris, and other dangers which may put tenants, visitors and friends at risk.

Harbor Lights Theater Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tamara Jenkins and Associate Artistic Director Jay Montgomery, completes the company’s third season of professional Equity theater on Staten Island with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s THE KING AND I, starring a cast of Broadway veterans and scores of local youth and children.

Harbor Lights' production of THE KING AND I will be directed by Broadway Veteran and long-time Sesame Street cast member Alan Muraoka. Mr. Muraoka appeared in the 1996 revival of the show on Broadway. Jerome Robbins legendary choreography will be re-constructed by Andrew Sakaguchi. THE KING AND I is the final show of Harbor Light’s third season as Staten Island’s only professional Equity theater company – bringing Broadway to Staten Island!

Founder-Artistic Director of Harbor Lights Tamara Jenkins is playing the role of Anna in the show, a role she has played before.

THE KING AND I was inspired by the memoirs of Anna Harriet Leonowens, the real author and teacher. Anna was hired by King Mongkut of Siam to teach his 67 children at his royal place in Bangok. She stayed for several years, leaving Bangkok during the 1860’s and settling in Staten Island. She lived on Tompkins Place for approximately three years. While on Staten Island she ran a private school for girls in West Brighton. Following that she settled in Canada and where she lived until her death in 1914.

Harbor Lights production of THE KING AND I features Mel Sagrado Maghuyop, who reprises the role of The King of Siam, which he recently played at The Walnut Street Theater Company in Philadelphia. Playing Anna is Tamara Jenkins, Founding Artistic Director of Harbor Lights (Chicago, Les Miserables, Cats), Christine Toy Johnson (The Music Man, Grease, Chu Chem) plays Lady Thiang. OBIE Award winner and Staten Island resident Ron Domingo plays The Kralahome. His daughter Autumn takes the role of Princess Ying Yawolak. Other notable cast members are Jon Viktor Corpuz (Chulalonghorn) from the cast of “The Godspell Cast of 2032” on Broadway.

Tickets on Sale now. Tickets are: Adult $30.00, Student w/valid ID $25.00 and children ages 3 and 17 and Senior (60+) $25.00. Recommended age: 5 and up. The show runs from November 3rd through the 18th at the Music Hall at Historic Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens. For more information about The Harbor Lights Theater Company and to purchase tickets to the show, visit the website at www.theharborlightstheatercompany.org.