The King and I
Review by Elaine Cockrell
For: The Columbia River Reader
With the faint sounds of the state basketball play-offs in the background, the second night audience of Rising Star Production of The King and I fell under the musical spell of 1860's Siam and the king who didn't want the world to see him as a barbarian.
The play tells the story of Anna and her son Louis arriving in Siam, where Miss Anna will be the tutor for the King's children and his wives. Miss Anna encounters cultural differences right from the beginning, with arguments of whether she will live in the palace or get the red brick house she was promised in her contract. The King marvels at a new map of the world where Siam is so small and snow is described as falling lace. Miss Anna rebels against the King's authority, refusing to be called his servant and creating a rift that is healed only by Lady Thiang, the King's first wife, who seems to understand Miss Anna and the King better than anyone. The King wants to move Siam forward into the modern world, but finds dangers on every side. While he is willing to send President Abraham Lincoln male elephants to win the Civil War, he is chagrined at his own slave Tuptim's play of Uncle Tom's Cabin where the slave owner dies trying to recover his runaway slave. The cultural differences and the King's ultimate authority climax with the question of what to do with Tuptim, when she tries to escape with her lover. When the King faces Anna's cry of being a barbarian for whipping Tuptim, he loses face. Phra Alack, the King's advisor, and Anna agree on one thing: both are sorry Anna ever came to Siam.
Interwoven into this tale of cultural conflict is a wonderful musical, filled with intricate costuming and detailed sets. The sets include the deck of a ship, the King's palace, Anna's bedecked bedroom, and the gardens surrounding the palace. Kelso High School's stage was big enough for the scene changes and a huge cast. The costumes were well done, especially Anna's traveling clothes and her ballroom gown. Tuptim and Eliza's headdresses were beautifully intricate. The King and his son, Prince Chululongkhorn, wore rich fabrics as suited their positions. The masks for Uncle Tom's Cabin for King Simon of Legree, Uncle Thomas, and the scientific dogs worked well.
The King, played by Steve Thorpe, was witty, slyly humorous, and alternately full of power and questioning his role as king. Mr. Thorpe used his role to battle an upstart English woman, winning their personal war by insisting Anna keep her own promises and keep her head below his as he slowly acquiesced to her demands for a house and a rise in salary. Mr. Thorpe won the ultimate battle of getting the audience to fall in love with his rendition of the king, with Yul Brenner's ghost haunting the stage.
Anna, played by Jueanne Meyers, was true to her character in that she was "a very difficult English woman." While she fought the battles with the king with subtleties such as teaching the children songs about her home, sweet home, the 21st century woman's voice could be a bit softer to stay true to the 19th century role. Ms. Meyers' voice occasionally wavered, perhaps due to nerves, but was in general quite pleasing while complimenting her strong acting.
As Number One Wife, Lady Thiang (Laura Ouellette) had the strongest, most beautiful voice of the cast. She played her role as peacemaker between Anna and the King to perfection. Her understanding of her husband, sung as "Something Wonderful" was the vocal highlight of the evening.
Tuptim, played by Debi Meyers, did an outstanding job with the play-within-a-play of "Small House of Uncle Thomas." She narrated the play her character wrote very well. Her voice is a sound in training, with lots of promise, but needs to sing on top of the pitch. The same can be said for her lover, Lun Tha, acted by Robert Larson.
Two strong supporting roles were the young sons, Louis, played by Daniel Hull, and Prince Chululongkhorn, acted by Kole Musgrove. Both acted well and sang a difficult piece "Is a Puzzlement." The boys reflected upon the adult's world, wondering how a strong woman and strong king could also be unsure of themselves.
The cast at large was very talented. Cast numbers sounded full-bodied and were choreographed well. The sub-plot of Uncle Tom's Cabin was delightful, with great dancers, singers, and set. The children and wives played their parts well and added to the story line with believable nuances showing character.
In all, The King and I is an excellent community production. Kelso High School, without the state playoff games, is a bonus to Rising Star Productions as a venue worth repeating. Get your tickets now, and sink into the wonderful story of a king, an English lady, and their musical cultural conflict.