Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

#1

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 12:58pm

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/30/ken-watanabe-will-star-opposite-kelli-ohara-in-the-king-and-i/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0

Previews begin 3/12 in advance of a 4/16 opening.

Kelli is finally "official" as Anna.

Updated On: 6/30/14 at 12:58 PM

#2

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 12:59pm

He's a great actor.

It says Kelli will also star. Has that been confirmed?

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....but the world goes 'round

#3

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 12:59pm

Damned good casting.

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#4

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:00pm

I would consider this confirmation of Kelli.

#5

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:01pm

Holy crap! This is wonderful casting.

#6

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:11pm

Whoa.

#7

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:14pm

I need to see this.

#8

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:17pm

Wonderful news! This is sure to be a beautiful production. The Playbill article confirms they're using the original orchestrations, as well.

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"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#9

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:19pm

"The Playbill article confirms they're using the original orchestrations, as well."

One of the few things in recent years that I will be buying tickets in advance for. I also want to see it on opening week before the tourist audience settles in.

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HUSSY POWER! ------ HUSSY POWER!

Updated On: 6/30/14 at 01:19 PM

#10

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:22pm

Sigh. When will white actors' time come on Broadway? Yet another lead role going to an Asian. I mean, right, Jon???


I had no idea they were going for such a big name. This is truly WONDERFUL casting. Ken Watanabe is just perfect for this role. Name recognition outside of theatre cricles, an imposing and magisterial figure, and someone who will, no doubt, have plenty of chemistry with his leading lady. Man, this production went from must-see to will-sell-After8's-firstborn to get a ticket.

Updated On: 6/30/14 at 01:22 PM

#11

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:23pm

So exciting! I'm glad to hear about what is shaping up to be a beautiful, traditional Broadway production! Glad that Kelli is officially confirmed and that they went with Watanbe! This is officially on my list of shows to see next summer.

#12

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:24pm

Just curious: do people have a problem with the fact that he is Japanese and not Southeast Asian? I'm curious because here and on other boards, there was a lot of discussion about the problematic nature of casting someone who is racially inappropriate in this day and age, but the discussion mostly focused on white males being suggested for the role.

There was a bit of handwringing here over some other casting decisions in recent years taking jobs from Southeast Asian actors specifically, so I wondered if this casting was troubling for anyone?

#13

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:25pm

Fabulous!

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"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."

#14

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:26pm

Perfect casting!

#15

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:27pm

Wow, this is incredible. I'm so happy they're using the original orchestrations as well.

#16

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:30pm

"Just curious: do people have a problem with the fact that he is Japanese and not Southeast Asian?"

No, to white people, all Asians are interchangeable. Korean is Vietnamese is Laotian is Thai is etc., etc., etc.

#17

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:30pm

SOMETHING WONDERFUL.

#18

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:31pm

Heaven.

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"I know now that theatre saved my life." - Susan Stroman

#19

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:32pm

Wonderful! And Christopher Gattelli overseeing the original Jerome Robbins musical staging--which means we'll get a GORGEOUS "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet!

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#20

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:36pm

I don't really have a problem with it, but I'm Chinese not Thai. Asians are obviously not interchangeable but at this rate I'm just glad he's not being played by a white actor. Slowly inching towards progress

#21

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:37pm

Wow, if this casting is as good as people are saying, I will defientely consider this,

Hopefully, Kelli will get her Tony next year and it sounds like she could.

#22

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:38pm

Well, I don't think where he's from regionally matters. He's an actor. He's going to act the part.

#23

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:41pm

How fantastic!

#24

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:42pm

So effing excited. Now those thinking they won't go with Kelli can relax.

#25

Ken Watanabe is The King of Siam in THE KING AND I

Posted: 6/30/14 at 1:42pm

"Well, I don't think where he's from regionally matters. He's an actor. He's going to act the part."

A lot of people seemed to disagree with that idea when the idea was brought up of someone like Michael Cerveris. I was just wondering if people were still upset even though Watanabe is Asian, though not Southeast Asian but rather Japanese. To me, I'm excited to see him in the part, but I can understand the argument for racially accurate casting.

IMO this has a lot to do with it sadly:
"No, to white people, all Asians are interchangeable. Korean is Vietnamese is Laotian is Thai is etc., etc., etc."