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The King and I previews thread — Page 14

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#326

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:03pm

HeyMrMusic, would you please amplify on your view? I am sitting in the same section in May, only closer to the stage (Row F). Did you say you missed the entire back wall? Thanks!
#327

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:04pm

Does the Overture still start off with the haunting "Something Wonderful" that's strange Shall we dance has never been part of the overture.
#329

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:23pm

Seeing this in 3 weeks and could not be more excited!

In one week of previews, they've already shaved off 20ish minutes from the running time and Watanabe's diction seems to be improving tenfold. Can only imagine how much stronger the production will be by opening!
"Sing the words, Patti!!!!" Stephen Sondheim to Patti LuPone.
#330

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:27pm

Yes, I missed pretty much the entire back wall. I couldn't tell you what was there. I think a throne or a Buddha or a garden wall or fireworks. Maybe?

If I remember, the overture starts with an abridged version of the opening, then Something Wonderful, Whistle a Happy Tune, Puzzlement, Shall We Dance, I Have Dreamed, then the ending.

There was student rush last night. There was a line of maybe 20 people and I think they all got tickets.
#331

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:47pm

As someone who doesn't know when or If he'll ever make it to New York, let
Alone this particular production. Can anyone explain in great detail, via Spoiler or direct message, what this amazing ship scene is, what happens??
#332

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 12:52pm

^ I think that question is answered a couple of pages back. I believe it's on page 8 or 9 and was posted by user AfterEight.
#334

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 1:18pm

The other standout is Ruthie Ann Miles, who makes Lady Thiang not only a partner in crime for Kelli but also a strong woman with convictions and just as many tricks up her sleeve as Anna or the King.

Wow, you described her performance perfectly. I have no doubt that she will receive a well earned Tony nomination.
#335

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 1:37pm

If you can't see the back wall from some of the seats, I don't know why they're not sold as partial view. I don't mind partial view as long as I'm prepared for it and the ticket price reflects that.
#336

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 2:00pm

Are there different versions of the Overture by the original orchestrator? I'm confused by their crediting Robert Russell Bennett for the orchestrations and also making cuts and changes to them. Who made the changes? Also, did Mr. Bennett even orchestrate the Overture or was that done by someone else?
#337

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 2:30pm

While I would prefer the full Overture, it's at least better than the 1996 revival cutting the ENTIRE Overture besides the opening chords.
#340

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 3:49pm

The back wall was just a half "palace" wall in front of a colored scrim. For the King's entrance, instead of him being on the throne already, they had him enter from the house and walk from downstage to upstage to his "throne", where he sat for only a minute or two. I'd say about 90% of the action takes place on the thrust or downstage of the actual stage. I understand how not being able to see the whole picture can be frustrating, but there wasn't too much way up there honestly.
#341

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 4:35pm

Is that wall there for most of the show? Are there other set pieces to suggest different locations for the classroom and such?
#342

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 4:47pm

^ Yes, of course. The school room, Anna's bedroom, dining room, etc all have set pieces. The hanging vines in the garden scenes are ugly, and I wish that they would change those. Otherwise, the set is very polished and elegant, just somewhat sparse. Once you see the boat, it's pretty hard for anything else in the show to match the excitement of that.

Updated On: 3/19/15 at 04:47 PM

#343

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 10:14pm

Actually no, there's virtually no major scenic change at all once you enter the palace.
That plaster wall stays put for the entire 2 3/4 hours of the show following the ravishing boat scene.
Columns fly in and out, and slide gracefully side to side.
The grand gold velvet drape pulls across the stage and back, much like the old in-one scenes of '50's musicals.
A scrim flies down, along with the ill-chosen plastic ivy hangings for the garden.
3 more gauze panels fly in to describe the king's bedroom.
A gold buddha rolls in far upstage.
"Small House of Uncle Thomas" gets the traditional stairway-to-heaven ladder, along with a blue drape.
8 chandeliers fly in for the banquet in Act II.
The rest is all furniture: the map board for the schoolroom, low writing tables for the bedroom, workbench tables for "Western People Funny".

If I've skipped something essential here, no doubt someone will correct me.
Loved the harbor scene to death. Wish I could have loved the rest more.
#344

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/19/15 at 10:40pm

Same with the 2008 SOUTH PACIFIC revival: The permanent set is the island backdrop, the sand dune and the lone palm tree for the rest of the show as well. Fly-downs and props come in and out in Act 1 to describe locations and the only major sets throughout are Emile's house (which is a big detailed fly-down for both acts) and the turnaround stage for "Honey Bun".

Michael Yeargan uses his SOUTH PACIFIC ideas to THE KING AND I as well so I don't see the problem. From what Someone described, I think I'm going to really like the set design in THE KING AND I as well.

If Michael Yeargan ever works on any production of FOLLIES, I think I'm going to scream for excitement for what he might come up with, I'd argue that he'd be more imaginative than any set designer today. My theater friend calls him: "The Boris Aronson of today" which I think is pushing it a bit but he has done some imaginative work for both the Opera world and Broadway.
#345

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/20/15 at 1:11pm

I really gotta stop reading what you all are posting as I'm seeing this tomorrow...but I can't help it! It's only making me more and more excited to see it!!!!!

...I'll just go back to my South Pacific revival recording now.
#346

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/20/15 at 4:13pm

What happened to the Tumbler clips that someone shared on page 6 or so ? Theatre Afficionado appears to have taken them down, what a shame! They were so terrific!!
#348

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/20/15 at 10:14pm

hey everybody

just got a scalper pair in side orch left C 101-102 for King and I
on the aisle

from the pix of the stage youve shared these look like great seats

can anyone whose been at the preview offer an opinion on the view from this location, or should i get a better pair

thanks!
#349

The king and I previews thread

Posted: 3/21/15 at 9:45am

Saw this last night. I echo all the positives said here except I felt no sexual tension or chemistry between the two of them and that crackle is so very necessary to the piece. Also a lot of the humor was missing.

Updated On: 3/21/15 at 09:45 AM

#350

Any rush stories?

Posted: 3/21/15 at 10:14am

Has anyone tried to rush this show? Any luck?

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