Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:39am
This is exciting! I have seen the production with both Ken and Jose and I must say that Ken remains my favorite. While his diction was at times a little rough, he brought a fierceness to the role that I loved!
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:02pm
"While his diction was at times a little rough. . ."
Is that what you call 'not being able to understand 2/3 of what he said and sang'? Just asking. . .
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:05pm
This is great news. I'm now really curious about seeing Daniel Dae Kim as well.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:08pm
Patash said: ""While his diction was at times a little rough. . ."
Is that what you call 'not being able to understand 2/3 of what he said and sang'? Just asking. . ."
Well not exactly, though I do admit it was definitely hard to hear him at times. I saw him towards the end of his run, which may have been why it was a little easier for me. Also, my seat was pretty close to the stage so that may have affected my ability to understand him!
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:16pm
As much as I really admired Hoon Lee in the role, I'm very excited that Ken Watanabe will return to the role that earned him that Tony nomination and I'm surprised and joyful that Daniel Dae Kim will play the King of Siam a role which I think he'll do magnificently.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:20pm
From what the article said it sounds like Kelli has also extended.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:24pm
Call_me_jorge said: "From what the article said it sounds like Kelli has also extended."
I agree. I don't think it's been announced that she extended (if somebody does know for sure, please post the link!) but this article absolutely makes it sound like she did!
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:48pm
Hm, I really wanted to see this again for Hoon Lee... but now I also really want to see Ken Watanabe and Daniel Dae Kim! Is Hoon Lee truly as can't-miss as the new Times review makes it seem? My poor student budget can only afford so much
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:54pm
I'm in no position to rank the Kings, having only been to the show with Hoon in the role, but he was incredible to me, really funny with just the right amount of confidence and sex appeal. If I don't see this production again, I won't feel like I missed out by any means. He was everything I needed.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:54pm
Dammit. I was planning a trip to NYC in July, now I have to figure out how to get there sooner.
Updated On: 1/20/16 at 12:54 PM
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:13pm
"Ken Watanabe, who created the role of the King of Siam in the LCT production, will return to once again star opposite Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara as Anna Leonowens."
This almost makes it sound like he will be the only one of these Kings to perform opposite Kelli
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:14pm
Does anyone know if there is still a plan to film the show with Ken or was that just a rumor?
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:22pm
I was just about to say that this might be for the Live From Lincoln Center broadcast.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:25pm
If they're going to film it for Live from Lincoln Center, they should use a King that most of America will be able to understand.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:33pm
Anyone too lazy for Ken Watanabe can turn on the closed captioning.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:42pm
I don't know why this excites people I do not know why he was nominated for a Tony. I could not understand very much of what he said and frankly the man's lack of English Diction ruined King and I for me.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:54pm
I understood nearly everything he said and the intention was clear for the words I missed.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 2:21pm
Scarywarhol said: "I understood nearly everything he said and the intention was clear for the words I missed."
OK. It wasn't clear to me, even though I was very familiar with the show beforehand.
Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:36pm
Some people had no trouble understanding Watanabe from the first preview, while others had big-time trouble after he had been in the role for two months.
It's a mystery. Oops, I mean it's a puzzlement. Thanks, scary.
The New York City Center has Kelli O'Hara booked for April 28th and 29th, Friday and Saturday.
Don’t miss Tony Award winners Kelli O’Hara and Victoria Clark in a semi-staged version of Henry Purcell’s tempestuous Baroque opera Dido and Aeneas, featuring the singers of MasterVoices, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and Doug Varone and Dancers.
This doesn't necessarily mean that she will have left King and I by then. Ted Sperling, the original conductor for South Pacific and TK&I will be conducting Dido and Aeneas, so it could just be a two night junket.
On the other hand, Watanabe is leaving the show for the second and last time on April 17th, so that might be a good exit for Kelli. But they would have to make the announcement pretty soon so ticket buyers will know.
Updated On: 1/22/16 at 11:36 PM
Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:38am
Is it a mystery...or is. A. Puzzlement?
Posted: 1/21/16 at 8:37am
Puzzlement is a great word. We should use it more often.
Posted: 1/21/16 at 9:02am
Great news. I loved Watanabe in the role, and I'm a big fan of Daniel Dae Kim. Might have to revisit the show for him.
Posted: 1/21/16 at 9:28am
"Anyone too lazy for Ken Watanabe can turn on the closed captioning. "
Wow. There's a novel idea. The actor was unable to be understood, so anyone who didn't use closed captioning was the "lazy" one. It's being lazy to go to the theatre and expecting to keep your eyes and ears on the actors as they convey the story?
