Olney Theatre Center to Close 75th Season with THE KING AND I, 11/14-12/29

By: Tyler Peterson Oct. 17, 2013

The award-winning Olney Theatre Center closes its 75th Anniversary season with Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic THE KING AND I, starring Paolo Montalban, November 14 through December 29 on the Mainstage.

"It's hard to believe Olney Theatre Center has never produced this classic piece of musical theater and I'm excited to have it be the finale of our 75th Anniversary Season," says Artistic Director, Jason Loewith. "And I'm thrilled to have the multi-talented Broadway and TV star Paolo Montalban starring as the King. With director Mark Waldrop, who has staged Olney Theatre Center's biggest hits, Annie and The Sound of Music, at the helm, THE KING AND I promises to be a show the whole family will love."

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 Anna and her son Louis 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 Paolo Montalban as the King of Siam. Mr. Montalban is best known for playing the Prince in the ABC/Disney TV movie, "Cinderella" with Brandy and Whitney Houston. Earlier this year, he performed on Broadway in Breakfast at Tiffany's. He has also appeared on Broadway in Pacific Overtures and as Lun Tha in the Tony Award-winning Broadway revival of THE KING AND I. He starred in the hit TV series "Mortal Combat: Conquest" and appeared in the movies The Adjustment Bureau, Just Wright, and The Great Raid.

Eileen Ward will play the role of Anna. Olney Theatre Center audiences will remember her from her roles such as Rose in The Secret Garden and AbiGail Adams in 1776. Ms. Ward will be joined on stage by Eymard Cabling (Lun Tha), Alan Ariano (The Kralahome), YoonJeong Seong (Tuptim), Ron Heneghan (Captain Orton, Sir Edward), and Janine Sunday (Lady Thiang). THE KING AND I also features three local young performers. Josiah Segui plays Prince Chulalongkorn. Ian Berlin and Henry Niepoetter will rotate in the role of Anna's son, Louis.

The ensemble includes Eunice Bae, Ron Curameng, David Gregory, Kimi Hugli, Brittany Jeffery, Aaron Komo, Kevin Kulp, Justine Moral,Yumiko Niimi, Rumi Oyama, Momoko Sugai, and Jeffrey Wei.

Rounding out the cast of THE KING AND I will be 14 additional local young performers: Kathryn Benson, Kylie Cooley, Daniel Chin, Haley Davis, Kyle Davis, Lucy Gibbs, Justin Hong, Lia Ilagan, AiDan Levin, Nathaniel Levin, Emma Pham, Dulci Pham, Oliver Wang, and Nikki Wildy.

Mark Waldrop returns to Olney Theatre Center to direct THE KING AND I. Mr. Waldrop's work is seen around the country. His previous hits at Olney Theatre Center include Annie, The Sound of Music, and Little Shop of Horrors. The creative team also includes Tara Jeanne Vallee (Choreographer), Jen Cartney (Musical Director), James Fouchard (Scenic Designer), Dan Covey (Lighting Designer), Kendra Rai (Costume Designer), Jeff Dorfman (Sound Designer), and Renee E. Yancey (Production Stage Manager).

THE KING AND I is made possible in part by contributions from production sponsors Kathleen Quinn and Senator Jennie and Mr. William Forehand.

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