The King and I 1996 vs. Current Revival Cast Recordings

Just got around to listening to the cast album of the current King and I revival, and I still have to say that no recording of this magnificent show is as satisfying to me as the Donna Murphy revival. The orchestrations on that one are so lush and beautiful, and I love the performances. The one thing the current cast recording has going for it is that it retains the Small House of Uncle Thomas Ballet, though I can't stand Ashley Park's delivery in it -- maybe it translated better on stage? In any case, that particular number is better to watch than to listen to, so its absence from most recordings doesn't bother me that much. Curious to know what other people prefer.

Updated On: 6/21/16 at 11:57 AM

I thought Ashley Park was just exquisite in the show. I had an orchestra seat dead center 4th row. It was a very intimate experience of the show. I only regret I am not able to see it again. .

"Shall We Dance" from the 1996 Revival is perfection. There's no competition on that song alone.

I prefer the 1996 recording. I think Donna Murphy sounds amazing, and Lou Diamond Phillips does a tremendous job, as well. He was a pleasant surprise.

Jose Llana was the standout for me though. He is much better, IMO, than the current actor playing the role. His voice is more consistently full, and his version of "I Have Dreamed" is maybe the most beautiful version of that song I've ever heard. His female counterpart is fantastic too.

I thought the orchestration sounded truly amazing as well.

The cast album for the current revival is so disappointing. What they did record sounds excellent, but the cuts are unbearable. I will never get over the fact that they cut the Hello, Young Lovers reprise and truncated and rearranged the finale so much to the point that is just an awkward jumble. It's too bad they couldn't have done a glorious two disc complete recording a la South Pacific.

The first criticism I have over the 1996 production is the omission of the "Western People Funny" song that opens that second act. The King and I is often criticized for looking down on Siam and its culture. It is necessary for the people to follow Western culture to avoid being labeled "barbarians."

This is not a great musical highlight, but it is amusing and gives Lady Thiang control of the stage for a while. Most importantly, it shows that Oscar "got it" and inserted this number to gently mock the English for requiring the Siamese to wear unsuitable Western garb before they can earn the respect of the British.

To prove we're not barbarians
They dress us up like savages!
To prove we're not barbarians
We wear a funny skirt!

I like the purpose Western People Funny serves, but I don't like the song, and I don't usually miss it when productions choose not to include it. Though its absence does mean that Act II doesn't really have an opening song. That is one problem I've always had with recordings of the show -- the transition from Act I to Act II is abrupt, and there's essentially nothing else to record after "Shall We Dance," though there's still a lot of show to go after that song. Does anyone know if The King and I ever had an entr'acte? I've never heard one on any version of the show.

The show definitely has one, but like many overtures it is usually left off for space.

For the record, my recommendation is as always the 1964 Lincoln Center recording. I think it has the most life of any of the recordings. It even has the Ballet (at the expense of a few shorter numbers, however).

EvanstonDad said: "I like the purpose Western People Funny serves, but I don't like the song, and I don't usually miss it when productions choose not to include it. Though its absence does mean that Act II doesn't really have an opening song. "

If you leave out that song, then you're not performing the show as Rodgers and Hammerstein intended. I'm surprised that the stodgy Rodgers and Hammerstein Organization would permit it.