By betty A. Colston for the Signal
King and I
Stunning! The classic production of The King and I by Musical Theatre West (MTW) at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center is spectacular.

The large cast of 55 actors, including 21 young children, graced the stage with exquisite talent in song, dance and dazzling costume. From the smallest to the largest, youngest to the oldest, each actor's part is superb. This 50-plus-year-old Rogers and Hammerstein classic opens the 53rd season for MTW. Director/Producer Paul Garman takes a personal interest in this production as it was the show that began his career with MTW. It is the fifth time MTW has presented the story of the meeting of the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens. The play is based on diaries of Leonowens published in the 1860s telling of her visit to Siam.

Action begins with Anna (Elizabeth Ward Land) and son Louis (Quintan Craig) arriving at the dock in Siam. "I Whistle a Happy Tune" hides their fear as they are taken to the palace of the King. Set in my memory is the bald headed King, Yul Brynner. Once you get past the fact that MTW's King (Daniel Guzman) is not bald, you realize he brings his own uniqueness to the King's barbaric personality. Allowing no head to be higher than the King, he obtains the promise of Anna to always honor him by sitting lower or lying lower than himself.

The incredible realistic props give one the sense of actually being in Siam as the story proceeds from scene to scene. Smooth transitions take the audience through the reception room, grounds of the palace, the schoolroom, Anna's bedroom and the King's study in the first act. A luscious gold shimmering satin curtain rises in the third scene of Act Two for the Theatre Pavilion production of "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet. The story is narrated by Tuptim, (Cherrie Cruz) while exceptional dance talent wearing intricate costumes tell the story in ballet.

A love story within a love story, rule of power, control and honor and teaching of both the young and the old are the production's enchanting messages. An age-old traditional presentation brings fresh laughter to the audience with scattered bits of humorous body language, facial expressions and commentary. You'll be enthralled by the voice of opera soloist Suzanna Guzman as Lady Thiang singing "Something Wonderful." Cruz as Tuptim and Richard Bermudez as Lun Tha sing "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed." Land and Guzman blend captivating voice in the phenomenal "Shall We Dance?"

Stunning! Take your children (not even one bad word in this wonderful production), parents and friends to the Carpenter Performing Arts Center now through Sunday, November 20.

h Daniel Guzman in the role of the chauvinistic monarch. Guzman plays the character with less of a caustic edge than per the usual interpretation. This approach puts a fresh spin on the budding attraction between English governess Anna (Elizabeth Ward Land) and the King, but it also partially flattens the juicy dramatic confrontations. Land is likewise more subdued than the typical women's-lib crusader Anna. Guzman does a fine job with his pompous comic soliloquies, and Land's gorgeous soprano voice ensures that the evergreen ballad "Hello, Young Lovers" lives up to expectations. In the joyous "Shall We Dance?" the nervous sexual chemistry between the two is initially evident, but Castellano doesn't build the number properly; it doesn't quite reach its potential as a pivotal arc in this relationship.

A fine characterization and a lovely rendition of the poignant "Something Wonderful" are achieved by Suzanna Guzman as the devoted Lady Thiang. Praise is also due for Cherrie Cruz and Richard Bermudez as the doomed young couple Tuptim and Lun Tha, respectively; they are at their best in the soaring duet "I Have Dreamed." The well-balanced ensemble excels, particularly in the artfully staged "The Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet segment. The uncredited sets are ravishingly beautiful, as are the uncredited costume designs, coordinated by Todd K. Proto, and Steven Young's lush lighting design. Dennis Castellano's music direction serves the classic score well. All in all, MTW serves up a royally entertaining revival.

11/15/2005

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