Lincoln Center confirms King & I revival with Sher directing- Page 3

[AHLiebross]

Posted: 6/8/14 at 2:09pm

I just saw a soprano from Japan, Eri Nakamura, as Pamina in "The Magic Flute." She can act and has (of course) an operatic soprano voice. The only problems with her playing Lady Thiang are that she's very young and not from Southeast Asia (meaning Thailand, Burma, and Vietnam).

The King has to be highly charismatic, but does not have to sing well. After seeing "Yellow Face," I can't imagine casting anybody but an actor of Asian descent to play him. Unfortunately, I doubt there are too many English-speaking actors from Thailand or Vietnam or Burma who are available, so I don't think that they'll be able to be completely authentic with the King any more than with Lady Thiang. What about Russell Wong? Rick Yune? (He was the North Korean terrorist in "Olympus has Fallen" who managed to give off serious heartthrob vibes, even when cast alongside Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, and Dylan McDermott). It is unnecessary to cast a non-Asian actor in the role, in my opinion.

Posted: 6/8/14 at 2:27pm

They can certainly cut the "Elephant letter" scene but please don't dismiss it as condescending of whatever you called it- it actually happened.
True dat

[Patash]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 8:13am

Saw Yul Bryner do it three or four times, including when he was very "long in the tooth" for the role.

But I think the best King I've seen was at Walnut Street Theatre a couple years ago. Mel Segrado Maghuyop was superb! And frankly Rachel York wasn't so bad either.


Walnut's King and I

[Musicaldudepeter]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 8:23am

God... Give me Kelli O'Hara over Rachel York any day.

[Patash]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 8:43am

Yea, me too. That wasn't the point of my post.

I said "she wasn't so bad". If you didn't see her do it, then I guess you're entitled to assume she WAS bad, however.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 6/9/14 at 9:47am

"Is that Anne Hathaway rumor specific to KING AND I? Has she expressed interest in this revival?"

No, it's just a high profile name I'm using as an example. I'm sure it will be Kelli O'Hara, but I also think that Anne Hathaway's agents should be showing interest in this production. After all, an actress can't get an EGOT without being on Broadway. And "The King & I" makes much more sense for Anne than "My Fair Lady."

Updated On: 6/9/14 at 09:47 AM