The King and I

By Rodgers and Hammerstein

Directed by Christa Stowers

“The King and I” dramatizes the true story of an English widow, Anna Leonowens, who is summoned by the King of Siam to serve as a tutor to his many wives and children at The Royal Palace in Bangkok. The King is considered to be a barbarian by those in the West and he seeks Anna’s help in changing his image, if not his ways. With both keeping a firm grip on their own traditions and values Anna and the King grow to understand and respect one another. This unique story of friendship includes many Broadway standards including “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Something Wonderful,” “Getting To Know You,” and “Shall We Dance?”

Directing the ECT production will be Christa Stowers, the music and arts teacher at St Patrick’s School in Janesville. Christa studied theater at UW Stevens Point and has acted and directed with the Watertown Players, Phoenix Theatre Company, Penguin Productions, and Fort Atkinson Community Theatre. She is currently starring as M'lynn Eatenton in “Steel Magnolias” in Fort Atkinson. She says, “”The King and I” has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. I had the opportunity to portray the role of "Lady Thiang" and fell in love with her devotion to the King. The King and I is a truly great and deeply moving romantic musical. The music is breathtaking and the characters are strong.”

Stowers adds that live theater is a great value. “The great thing about a show of this size is that we can have as many or as few in the cast as we wish. There are dozens of parts to be cast...the royal children, royal wives, royal dancers, et cetera... This is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved as well as a wonderful excuse to do something as a family.

“The show would be an inexpensive form of entertainment for the whole family. The film version is outstanding, but to have the opportunity to see a live version of The King and I will leave you speechless. It is a musical that everyone must see at least once!”

“The King and I” won the Tony for Best Musical in 1952. The production was the last for Gertrude Lawrence and made a star of Yul Brynner who went on to play opposite Deborah Kerr in the film version which won six Oscars. A 1996 Broadway revival with Lou Diamond Phillips won four more Tonys.

ECT is still looking for production team members as well. If you’d like to participate send an email to information at ectstagelights.org .

Produced by Evansville Community Theater at the Evansville PAC at the High School, 640 S 5th St in Evansville

Performances: July 17-19 and 23-25, 2009

Performance Times: Sunday July 19 is a 2 PM matinee. All other shows have a 7PM curtain.

Reserve your tickets today at ectstagelights.org or purchase them at one of ECT’s fine ticket outlets. Tickets are $10 in advance at Kopecky’s Piggly Wiggly and at The Evansville Pharmacy and will be available at the door for $12. For more information see ectstagelights.org

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