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The King And I

Book by Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on Anna And The King Of Siam by Margaret Landon
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Music by Richard Rodgers
Produced by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II
Directed by John van Druten
Choreography by Jerome Robbins
Opened March 29, 1951 at the St. James Theatre and ran for 1,246 performances
Movie 1956

Synopsis

It is 1862 in Siam when an English widow, Anna Leonowens, and her young son arrive at the Royal Palace in Bangkok, having been summoned by the king to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. The king is largely considered to be a barbarian by those in the West and he seeks Anna's assistance in changing his image, if not his ways. With both keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the king grow to understand and, eventually, respect one another, in a truly unique love story.

Song List

Overture
I Whistle A Happy Tune
My Lord And Master
Hello, Young Lovers
March Of The Siamese Children
Puzzlement, A
Getting To Know You
We Kiss In A Shadow
Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You?
Something Wonderful
I Have Dreamed
Shall We Dance?

Info

Original Cast included: Gertrude Lawrence, Yul Brynner, Dorothy Sarnoff, Doretta Morrow, Larry Douglas, Johnny Stewart, Sandy Kennedy, Lee Becker Theodore, Gemze de Lappe, Yuriko & Baayork Lee

This was Rodgers & Hammerstein's first musical play based on a true story. It was also the first project brought to them by a star who wanted to play the leading role. The star was Gertrude Lawrence. THE KING AND I was readied for Broadway with a budget of $360,000 -- making it the most expensive Rodgers & Hammerstein musical to date, and one of the most lavish in Broadway history.

Yul Brynner's relationship to THE KING AND I is unique in the annals of theatre. Over the course of 34 years he played The King more than 4,600 times, first on stage, then on the big screen and then on television. He brought THE KING AND I back to Broadway for two separate, triumphant engagements; the latter, the culmination of his farewell tour as The King, was presented in 1985, the final year of his life. At the conclusion of that run Yul. Brynner received a special Tony Award for his achievements.

In the Movie Yul Brynner recreated his role as The King. An immediate success, THE KING AND I became the second-highest grossing film of the year and was also critically acclaimed; nominated for nine Academy Awards, it received five, including the Best Actor Award to Brynner.

Related

The King And I MIDI Files
The King and I (1956) -- Yul Brynner; VHS
The King and I (1956) -- Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner; DVD
The King And I: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1996 Revival) -- Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II; Audio CD
The King And I (1992 Hollywood Studio Cast) [SOUNDTRACK] -- Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II; Audio CD
Richard Rodgers Sheet Music

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