Lincoln Center Theater has just debuted a new Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I," starring the five-time Tony-nominated actress Kelli O'Hara. NY1’s Roma Torre filed this review.
Following Bartlett Sher's triumphant staging of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” comes another bravura revival of a classic by the songwriting greats. This time it’s "The King and I." Sher once again taps his gorgeous muse Kelli O’Hara to breathe new life into the popular musical – a production that whistles, sings and celebrates a boatload of happy tunes – and also has a boat that stunningly seems to float right into the audience.
Based on a true story, it follows British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens and her son Louis to the palace of the king of Siam. The musical’s success is built on the dynamic between these two. Happily, O’Hara and Japanese actor Ken Watanabe have great chemistry together. As a smart man determined to modernize, Watanabe convincingly balances the king’s barbaric impulses with his desire to civilize his nation through science. He is also petulant, which makes for much of the play’s humorous exchanges.
However, “The King and I” represented a more serious phase for R&H; and Sher’s production deftly mines the many layers embedded within. Christopher Gatelli’s ballet for “Small House of Uncle Thomas” seizes on the darkness and beauty of the culture. In addition, of course there is a hint of romance between the leads culminating in the exhilarating “Shall We Dance.”
Everyone in this immense company performs to perfection, starting with Kelli O’Hara - a giant star radiating warmth with that crystalline voice. Ashley Park and Conrad Ricamora as lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha sing ravishingly as well. And Ruthie Ann Miles, so terrific in “Here Lies Love,” delivers beautifully with phenomenal restraint.
Note to Lincoln Center Theater: Bart Sher should be kept on permanent retainer along with his brilliant design team to work through the entire Rodgers and Hammerstein canon. That would truly be something wonderful!