The King and I - Lincoln Center- Page 4

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 10:57pm

The real-life Anna Leonowens was 31 when she accepted the job teaching the King's 82 children.

She has a young son in the play and the two movies, so she really couldn't be 50-something anyway.

[ahhrealmonsters]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:15pm

How old is The King supposed to be? I'd love to see Jose Llana in the role.

[jas1234]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:21pm

Angela Lansbury was one of the best Anna's ever. She had warmth, strength and really delivered on all the wonderful R&H numbers given to Anna. There was a special poignance to her "Hello, Young Lovers." For Anna to work as effectively as one would want, she has to seem mature to sing that song...imho.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/7/14 at 11:35pm

Why couldn't a 37-year-old (Kelli's age) mother effectively sing a song about losing the love of her life?



Updated On: 4/7/14 at 11:35 PM

[jewishboy]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 1:00am

CurtainPullDowner, I meant TONY, not Telly, Leung. The Chinese film actor who has been in some truly amazing films and gives remarkable performances (In the Mood For Love, Lust Caution). He's 51 years old. Does he even act in English? Or sing?

Ha, thanks Ray! I love Donna's more dramatic songs in The King and I. I think her most brilliant song is Shall I Tell You What I Think of You. It makes me laugh, cry and tingle from the glorious notes that she hits. However I do love Gertrude Lawrence's softer numbers like I Whistle a Happy Tune and Getting to Know You. But I think Audra could make all those songs sound the best they ever been.

[jsg03jd]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 1:04am

The Broadway.Com piece states, "The Bridges of Madison County star Kelli O’Hara, who has been linked to the project for years, will likely star." It's not a foregone conclusion that she will play Anna Leonowens based on the wording of this sentence. I have no objections if O'Hara were cast but it's not a fait accompli.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 10:00am

Jewishboy, "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" is one of my all time favorite showtunes, but specifically as performed by Donna Murphy. It's the definition of a tour de force performance. In her hands, it's a mini-play.
And yes to Tony Leung! I did a quick Google search and came across multiple sites talking about how he speaks excellent English. all about a sexy King. He's insanely talented and his singing doesn't matter much since the role wasn't written for a singer, I'd love to see him play the role, what a great suggestion.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 10:25am

In Kelli's own words:

Question: This may be a silly question, but do you have any other projects in the works?
Kelli O’Hara: I have a couple of projects that I’m pretty excited about. I’m going to do my first Metropolitan Opera gig, which has kind of been my dream. For New Year's Eve next year, The Merry Widow, with Rene Fleming and Nathan Gunn and Susan Stroman. And then I’m in talks for doing The King and I.

http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/189677-DIVA-TALK-A-Conversation-With-Four-Time-Tony-Nominee-and-Bridges-of-Madison-County-Star-Kelli-OHara/pg4

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 10:43am

Updated On: 4/8/14 at 10:43 AM

[SidebySidebyLogan]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 6:27pm

Has anyone else wondered what an announcement like this might mean for Kelli's chances at winning the Tony this season? She has the whole "always a bridesmaid never a bride" thing working in her favor but if voters know they have another opportunity to honor her next season (in a role that has a history of bagging actresses awards) will they think twice before checking her name?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 6:59pm

I think we often overestimate the voters' thought process. If Kelli was their favorite, she'll win. I honestly can't see any of the other ladies, except for Jessie Mueller taking it from her, but I think the consensus is that it's "her time" this year. What would be more interesting is thinking about whether O'Hara will be able to land back-to-back Tony Awards, Murphy almost did it when she won for PASSION in 1994 and THE KING AND I in 1996.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 7:29pm

Oh please. Every single person I have even the faintest respect for agrees that it is Mueller's award tonlose and not one soul has found O'Hara superior.

On The topic of King and I, it would be a shame to have another Sher-O'Hara team up for this. He apparently doesn't know a single other leading lady with even a marginal soprano? Really? I am sure she would be fine... Well sung, bland, and fine.

Removing marquee standing from the running, I personally think that Jessica Grove would acquaint herself quite nicely in Anna's hoop skirts.

[ljay889]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 7:44pm

Jessica Grove is around 32-years-old. If people are already complaining about the 37-year-old O'Hara, then Grove is too young.

Updated On: 4/8/14 at 07:44 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/8/14 at 8:00pm

Unless it's one of three go to divas that are already 15-20 yrs too old for the roles they usually are in, the queens will gripe.
Grove is age and type appropriate in every way. Of course, that is meaningless here whete some will reason any way to get an ill fitted favorite into a role at the exclusion of all others...
Then they wonder whete the next generation of abroadway stars is... Not booking work because a small cluster i sists that 5 people play everything in rep.

[Copperfield2]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 9:35am

Ted Chaplin was the overseer of the Rodgers and Hammerstein Lyrics and Lyricists the other night and he must have thought while listening to Rebecca Luker sing the songs that she would make a great Anna. When she did This Nearly Was Mine, it stopped the show that evening. I wonder if Luker might be the fallback if O'Hara doesn't do it. I just think Luker singing Hello, Young Lovers would be perfection every night.

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 9:57am

I'd like to see Melissa Errico or Kate Baldwin play Anna.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:12am

I know she did the animated movie, but I'd love to see Christianne Noll as Anna. Also, she might be too young, but I'll throw in Ashley Brown as well!

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:15am

Melissa Errico would be very, very good casting. I could totally see her in the role. Rebecca Luker is also an inspired choice.

What vocal range do we think the King is? (There is a bass-baritone I'm thinking of, who, while a bit young, is a rather commanding presence on stage (he is of Asian descent).)

Updated On: 4/9/14 at 10:15 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:24am

I give you...Rebecca Luker singing "Hello, Young Lovers":

http://youtu.be/Mv3sv9Bp7jE

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 10:49am

LOVELY. Sigh. I wish we could see her Anna.

[Steve721]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 11:29am

I don't really get the dislike for O'Hara. I thought she was terrific in The Light in the Piazza and South Pacific, and I think her performance in Bridges is amazing. I would love to see her do The King and I; I think the role fits her like a glove.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 12:55pm

Listen to this and join me in a campaign to have Lady Thiang played by...

http://youtu.be/tuVkhTFCdx8

LIZA MINNELLI!

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 12:57pm

Hyung Yun
A rising star on the operatic scene, Korean-American baritone Hyung Yun could play the King.

Link

[dreaming]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 1:12pm

Melissa-That was who I was thinking of! Thank you! (I thought he was listed as a bass-baritone-he's a low baritone I know that.)

I thought he seemed a little young, but he's sure talented.



Updated On: 4/9/14 at 01:12 PM

[Melissa25]

Posted: 4/9/14 at 1:16pm

Dreaming--Yes, he is quite commanding.