East meets West in Oak Ridge
The Story
Cultures clash in exotic Bangkok when an English school teacher is hired to instruct the many children of the King of Siam. A classic Broadway musical featuring one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beautiful musical scores.
East meets West at Oak Ridge Playhouse in The King and I, the classic tale of a fiery but compassionate British schoolteacher who meets her match in the stubborn King of Siam (present day Thailand).
Traveling to Bangkok with her young son, Anna is at first turned off by the King’s tyrannical ways, but eventually she comes to understand him, even though his customs and traditions are far from those of her own.
The original production opened on Broadway in 1951 as a vehicle for Gertrude Lawrence, who had asked composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein to write a musical version of the story with her in mind. Although Yul Brynner is most identified with the show, he was a relative unknown at the time, but both performers went on to take the Tony awards for Best Actress and Best Featured Actor. Lawrence passed away from cancer about a year into the New York run.
During this period Rodgers and Hammerstein had three simultaneous hits running on Broadway. Oklahoma! which opened in 1943, and South Pacific, which opened in 1949, were both still going strong.
The King and I was transferred to Hollywood for a lavish film version in 1956, and although Brynner’s performance was now iconic, the role of the King in the film was originally to go to Marlon Brando. But when the star became unavailable, Brynner was offered the part. By this time the King had been elevated to a leading role with Brynner winning the Oscar that year.