Kelli O'Hara Departs King and I on April 17th - Marin Mazzie to step in! — Page 8

You guys are killing me with these reports!!

It's hard to put into words what I experienced tonight. I bought this ticket the day this was announced back in February, and it was a magnificent evening. Marin's voice was in top form, and she was living in the moment, and still had the confidence as if she'd been playing the part for a year. I absolutely adored Kelli in the show, but what I loved about Marin was she was very relatable. I could see the strength of my mother and her will in her performance, and that spoke volumes.

Daniel is very animated as the King, which is good, but I was never frightened of him. But he was making strong choices, like someone else said, his comedic timing was top notch. His singing is good, but you could tell he was nervous and not singing full force. If he just puts a little more volume into his presentation, it'll be great.

So glad to be seeing the production doing so well after a year, with so many different Kings. I can't recommend this show enough, it's pure theatrical bliss. I was thinking on the subway ride home how it was 20 minutes longer than most shows you see, but it feels so much different - it's an event, not just a show.

I'll try to post more detailed thought tomorrow. But I will say, run don't walk to the Vivian Beaumont. La Mazzie's triumphant return to Broadway as Anna is not to be missed.

From what I saw I think with a few more performances under their belt the two will be good together. Daniel is very good looking and sexy and their relationship is a bit more flirtatious then some of the other duos. Their performances were far from polished but that it to be expected given the limited rehearsal time.

I am beyond thrilled to read all of these glowing reviews!

So happy for her.

Okay, here is my attempt at some more detailed thoughts from last evening. I'm still on a bit of a high from the show, but I'll try to be clear. I hadn't seen this production yet, embarrassingly, so I can't compare performances or anything like that.



First of all, this is such a gorgeous production. I was overwhelmed by the designs and some moments of the staging took my breath away. The supporting cast is wonderful. I can see why Ms. Miles won her Tony award. She was so fascinating to watch, even when she was in the background. Ashley Park was robbed of a Tony nomination, in my opinion. She did such extraordinary work. I also LOVED Paul Nakauchi. I will say that I was underwhelmed by Lun Tha, Chulalongkorn, and Louis, but they didn't detract from my enjoyment of the show.



Now to the newbies. I was excited to see Daniel Dae Kim onstage for the first time, having seen him on television for years. He is very lovable in the role, which provided an interesting contrast to his more stubborn and dark moments. It gave you the sense he was really conflicted as a man as well as a ruler. I thought he found a lot of humor and charm in the King, and he's also, obviously, very easy on the eyes, so his chemistry with Anna and Lady Thiang was very convincing. He doesn't have much of a singing voice, but I don't really expect that from the King and he interpreted his numbers very well.



Marin Mazzie was, in a word, sublime. I was so happy to be there on her first night. You could feel the love for her from the audience all evening, from the extended entrance applause to her curtain call. She was everything I could have wanted from an Anna. She had such intelligence, strength, integrity, warmth, and passion in her performance. Her comedic timing was excellent and her final scenes were really touching and heartbreaking. She also looked radiant in those costumes, especially the purple gown. In fact, seeing her in the hoop skirts with the red hair gave me major Passion flashbacks. And then there's that glorious voice which is as perfect and shimmering as ever. I wish her songs could have gone on forever, truly. And being able to see her inhabit the songs up close was a masterclass. There's a reason she is one of the musical theatre's most treasured artists. When Marin Mazzie is singing onstage, the rest of the world melts away and you can't help but get swept away.



I'll also echo the statement someone made about truly getting Anna and the King's connection for the first time. I've always understood it on a textual and dramatic level, but last night I felt it. There was some real heat, respect, and love there. It was fascinating and I can't imagine how it's going to progress as they settle into the roles. This season has been an embarrassment of riches and there's a lot to see, but I highly recommend finding time to revisit the King and I

Just got in after the matinee. Ditto: from posters above. Marin Mazzie - DIVINE!!!! Such a superb actress. I 've seen the 70s, 80s , an 90s bway productions, and this is by far, the best. Ya kinda have to get Yul Brynner out of your mind, but, hey, diff actors, diff choices. Such glorious music/orchestrations. Like the saying goes, they don t make em like THAT a anymore . Such feeling in the book scenes. I unabashedly LUVvV Bartlett Sher.

You guys have convinced me! I am purchasing a ticket to see Marin. Thanks for all the reviews and insights. It's great to know she is doing a phenomenal job. I can't wait to see her!!

I was there last night and must echo the praise being heaped no Mazzie from others. She was WONDERFUL! I'm so happy for her. To know that she beat cancer and then barreled back to Broadway with this performance is overwhelming. Brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Her "Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You" was a riot and the "Hello, Young Lovers" reprise simply glorious.



Daniel was very sexy and funny and their "Shall We Dance" felt scandalous.



Ruthie continues to slay every moment she's on stage. Will anyone else ever be able to play Lady Thiang again?



I almost tripped over Carrie Preston in the lobby (she was there with Michael Emerson and Jorge Garcia) and I luckily restrained myself from launching into a full on gushfest over TGW. Nice to see Daniel's co-stars there supporting him.



The King and I is once again the revival to see this spring.

Hopefully the show will run for years, How was the size of the house?

SmoothLover said: "Hopefully the show will run for years, How was the size of the house?



"

I was there last night sitting in the loge (and I heard the half-hearted clapping during Shall We Dance and thought, really people?) and I'd say the loge was maybe 80% full. The first three rows were full in each section, but last two empty in the extreme side sections. From what I could see down below the last few rows were empty in most sections, along with a few empty seats here and there.

So glad to hear Marin is doing well! She always seems to turn in a great performance (I suppose she is a great performer!).