The King and I on Stage Videos - Broadway

On this day in 1985 legendary actor Yul Brynner returns to Broadway for the final time in a revival of The King and I starring Mary Beth Peil at the Broadway Theatre.

After a career in opera, Mary Beth Peil made her Broadway debut in 1985's THE KING AND I, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Now, 32 years later, she's back on the ballot, earning herself a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performances as the dazzling Dowager Empress in Anastasia. Below, watch as she explains the promises she made to herself 32 years ago, and how surreal this moment is for her!

Today we salute the life and career of Broadway composer, Mitch Leigh, who passed away on this day in 2014 at age 86.

Last month, the Broadway community gathered together to celebrate the life and show business legacy of beloved Broadway performer Kevin Gray at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The Majestic Theatre held a special place for Mr. Gray, having starred there in The Phantom of the Opera, first as Raoul and later as The Phantom. Titled A Celebration of the Life of Kevin Gray, the memorial tribute, you can the full event below.

Just yesterday, the Broadway community gathered together to celebrate the life and show business legacy of beloved Broadway performer Kevin Gray at The Majestic Theatre (247 West 44th Street). The Majestic Theatre held a special place for Mr. Gray, having starred there in The Phantom of the Opera, first as Raoul and later as The Phantom. Titled A Celebration of the Life of Kevin Gray, the memorial tribute, you can check out highlights from the special event below.

Happy Birthday Yul Brynner! His best-known role remains that of King Mongkut of Siam in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical The King and I which he played 4,525 times on stage over the span of his career. He appeared in the original production and later touring productions as well as a 1977 Broadway revival, London Production in 1979 and another Broadway revival in 1985. He also appeared in the film version for which he won an Academy Award as Best Actor and in a short-lived TV version (Anna and the King) on CBS in 1972. Brynner is one of only nine people who have won both a Tony Award and an Academy Award for the same role.

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.

Welcome to BroadwayWorld's new feature, and first-ever talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE. Follow Richard as he visits Broadway's best and brightest in their Broadway dressing rooms and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. You've seen Richard chat with Spidey lovebirds Reeve Carney and Jennifer Damiano, visit with UK's First Lady of musical Theatre, Elaine Paige, and go downtown to chat with Jonathan Groff about all things GLEE, Lea Michele and The Submission. Today, Richard is back in Times Square at the Marquis Theatre for some quality time with fan favorite Jan Maxwell, currently starring as 'Phyllis' in Follies. During the talk, Jan speaks candidly about being a young struggling actress in New York, her shortcomings (cooking!), and how she almost left the city for good before she even got going...until she found 'Angels.'