Anna Leon Videos

Kevin Gray, playing The King of Siam in St. Louis' currently running production of THE KING AND I, returns to The Muny after previously playing the Engineer in Miss Saigon (2001). In this conversation with Muny Executive Producer Mike Isaacson, Gray discusses his varied career and his rexamination of this role, one he's played before, for The Muny's production. Watch the interview below!

The Muny presents the seventh and final show of its 94th season, The King and I, now through August 12, directed by Rob Ruggiero and choreographed by Ralph Perkins. Kevin Gray, playing The King of Siam, returns to The Muny after previously playing the Engineer in Miss Saigon (2001). Making her Muny debut as Anna Leonowens is Laura Michelle Kelly. Rounding out the cast are Joan Almedilla as Lady Thiang, Joshua Dela Cruz as Lun Tha, and Alan Ariano as the Kralahome. Check out opening night highlights in the video below!

Today in 1951, The King and I opened at the St. James Theatre, where it ran for 1246 performances. The King and I is the fifth musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The story deals with the experiences of the British schoolteacher, who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict through much of the play, as well as by a love that neither is able to express.

Happy Birthday, Donna Murphy! Murphy has won two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical for her roles in Passion as Fosca and in The King and I as Anna Leonowens. She received three more Tony Award nominations for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances in Wonderful Town as Ruth Sherwood, LoveMusik as Lotte Lenya and The People in the Picture as Raisel/Bubbie. She is known, most recently, for her role as Mother Gothel in the animated Disney film Tangled (2010), Anij, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's love interest, in Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) and her numerous stage roles in musical theatre.

Broadway musical theater stars Rachel York and Brent Barrett, critically acclaimed co-stars in the West End production of the Tony Award-winning revival of 'Kiss Me, Kate' filmed for PBS, reunite for an exclusive two-act concert 'Isn't It Romantic?' on Sunday, February 19 at 1 p.m. at Reagle Music Theatre of Greater Boston. York, a Drama Desk and two-time IRNE Award winner, and Barrett, an LA Drama Critics Award winner and Olivier Award nominee, will sing some of their favorite love songs from the stage, screen, and American Songbook.

Today in 1985, the second Broadway revival of THe King and I opened at the Broadway THeatre, where it ran for 191 performances. The King and I is the fifth musical by the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. The work is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The story deals with the experiences of the British schoolteacher, who is hired as part of the King's drive to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict through much of the play, as well as by a love that neither is able to express. The musical premiered on March 29, 1951 at Broadway's St. James Theatre.

THE KING AND I has captured the hearts of millions with its charming story of the British governess brought into the court of Siam to tutor the King's many children. Once within the splendor of the Royal Palace, Anna and the King grow to understand one another and learn about each other's cultures. This unique love story is told with a glorious score, including 'Getting to Know You,' 'I Whistle a Happy Tune,' 'Hello Young Lovers' and the unforgettable 'Shall We Dance.'