Interview: THE KING AND I's Manna Nichols Chats About The Relevance of This Classic Musical

Following a Tony Award-winning Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater in 2015 and 2016, Bartlett Sher's THE KING AND I is now hitting the road on a national tour and arrives in Chicago this month. In advance of the production's arrival, I spoke with cast member Manna Nichols. Nichols plays the role of Burmese princess Tuptim, who is presented to the titular King of Siam as a peace offering at the beginning of the show. She chatted about the relevance of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic in 2017 and why she's drawn to the role of Tuptim.

Bartlett Sher's production of THE KING AND I had such a successful run on Broadway at Lincoln Center Theater and now you're part of the national tour going across the country. How's it going so far?

It is going really, really well. This is my first big national tour, and I'm new to the touring experience. I'm having a blast. Even the veterans who have toured before are saying it's such a good company...It's amazing to not only have your co-workers do an awesome job but also have great people to live your life with.

What drew you to this project?

This is my fourth production of THE KING AND I. I've played Tuptim before but only in regional productions. I love Bartlett Sher, who's my director. The chance to play my favorite character and work with a director I hold in high esteem is just a dream. I've done THE KING AND I more than any other show. I just love it. It has a special place in my heart.

Talk to me about your character Tuptim. She comes into the show in a very emotional spot and her emotional arc open deepens from there. How do you channel that energy?

I literally just try to think about her story and what she's going through. I've been to Thailand, and I'm trying to learn more about the history of the country of Siam and the country of Burma and how they've been in conflict for so many centuries...Knowing that [Tuptim is] coming in as the peace offering [influences my performance]. It's her duty to be there. It's her political position. When you think about that, it's easier to channel. She's a princess from Burma. She's educated. She speaks good English. To be brought in from a high position [to become] the 50th concubine to the King...it's [then] amazing to watch her standing up for what she believes and for true love and what Anna teaches her. When I think about her coming into womanhood [and growing up], how can I not enjoy doing the role and keep it fresh? Especially thinking about today in America where sexism and the glass ceiling still exist. It's hard to be a woman in this society. To play the role of a woman who is blossoming and realizing all these things and finding her strength in such an empowering way, I think it makes her character and the story relevant especially in 2017.

You also have a vocally challenging role and sing some of the musical's most iconic songs. How do you prepare vocally and what do you do while on tour to make sure that can be sustained?

It is quite the vocal Olympics! It's written so well. Rodgers and Hammerstein are pros so their stuff is a joy to sing and perform. I try to take good care of myself. My castmates will sometimes tease me because I sleep a lot. I drink a lot of water. I'm not a huge drinker. I might have a glass of wine once a week...I try to stay mellow. I get a lot of rest. I make sure that I warm up a little bit, just for 10 or 15 minutes before the show. I don't go to loud restaurants or parties. I know that sounds weird. When I'm talking to my family (they're not in music), I ask, "Oh, can we pick a restaurant that's not noisy so I don't need to talk over [it]?" To me that's common sense. Save your voice for the show. Drink lots of water and get lots of sleep.

I also check in with my voice teacher Brenda Holleman from Oklahoma City University. I check in with her and say, "Will you listen to this and tell me what I can be working on? Give me some exercises so I can exercise other parts of my voice outside of the show so I don't get stuck."

Do you have a favorite moment in the production?

I have so many. I really, really love the ballet. I get so nervous for the ballet because I have so many lines, and I'm afraid there will be a night where I forget. But honestly, I love watching the dancers in the ballet. I think the ballet is so unique because you don't see anything else in the musical theater canon that's like this Thai ballet...and watching the dancers constantly keep the piece alive and fresh is so amazing...watching them do the ice skating has got to be my favorite part of the show. I don't do a thing in [the ballet]. I just stand there and smile. But that to me is the most beautiful moment in the show.

What are you hoping to do in Chicago while you're here?

My brother went to college at DePaul University so I've been to Chicago before. My family is close by so I'm looking forward to seeing my nephew. I want to do sightseeing. I want to go to Geja's Cafe and take a couple castmates there so they can experience it. That's on my bucket list, for sure. I want to spend as much time with my nephew as I can. I have a bunch of friends that live in the Chicago area so I'm hoping I can see them and just enjoy the people.

You've performed in a number of classic Broadway musicals. Do you have a favorite? And what do you appreciate most about Golden Age musicals?

I don't know if I have a favorite because I feel like they're all so unique. I've played Rosabella in THE MOST HAPPY FELLA, Eliza in MY FAIR LADY, and Tuptim in THE KING AND I. What I love about the Golden Age of musicals is that the songs are so singable. I love all the lyric soprano pieces. I love the full orchestra. I love how lush and grand everything sounds. I love the romanticism of it. I also love that then you have pieces like Eliza's "Just You Wait" in MY FAIR LADY or Anna's "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You" in THE KING AND I that are very charactery. A lot of times leading ladies are ingenues and don't have those kinds of songs, but those numbers are such fun challenges.

Are any roles on your bucket list?

I've gotten to do a lot of my dream roles. I'd love to do Rosabella again. I'd love to do Eliza again. I've never done CAROUSEL. I've gone in for Julie Jordan auditions before and ended up having conflicts. I think that'd be a fun challenge and such gorgeous music. I want to do Amalia in SHE LOVES ME.

Honestly anything. Name it, and I want to try it. I hope opportunities present themselves. I would really love to do a regional production in Chicago, as this is one city that I really haven't gotten to work in yet.

See Manna Nichols as Tuptim in Broadway In Chicago's engagement of THE KING AND I, which runs from June 14 - July 2 at the Oriental Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

Production photo by Matthew Murphy

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