The King and I opened on Broadway on March 29, 1951, starring Gertrude Lawrence and featuring newcomer Yul Brynner. The show ran for three years, racking up 1,246 performances and five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. After a successful West End debut, 20th Century Fox released the motion picture version of The King and I in 1956 with Deborah Kerr as … Read More
Shall We Dance?
After pulling off a successful dinner for the visiting English, Anna and the King share a celebratory moment. As she describes a woman’s perspective at a dance, he observes carefully, and they gingerly attempt to dance together. Soon, they cast off all inhibition and sweep the dance floor in a gloriously unbridled polka.
Song of the King
Anna and the King clash over their differing perspectives on gender.
The Small House of Uncle Thomas Ballet
Tuptim presents a balletic retelling of Uncle Tom’s Cabin to the King and his guests. Originally choreographed by Jerome Robbins in a unique combination of ballet and Asian-inspired movement, the dance tells the story of Eliza, a slave who receives divine help to escape a tyrannical King. Robbins’ work remains in productions of the show, to the music arranged by … Read More
I Have Dreamed
Lun Tha and Tuptim, planning to leave Siam that night, look forward to their future together.
Western People Funny
Preparing for the arrival of British dignitaries, the palace women wear uncomfortable European clothing and comment on the absurdity of Western customs.
Something Wonderful
In an appeal to Anna, Lady Thiang explains the complexity of her relationship with the King.
Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?
Frustrated after a quarrel with the King, Anna vents to an absent adversary.
A Puzzlement (Reprise)
The Prince and Louis share the observation that adults sometimes speak with certainty about things of which they are uncertain.
We Kiss in a Shadow
Lun Tha and Tuptim, reunited in secret, dream of a world where they can be together in the sunlight.
Getting to Know You
Anna, adapted to her new role as teacher, bonds with her students, taking delight in the sharing of customs. This song was added during the original production’s out-of-town tryout. Several people, among them Joshua Logan and Mary Martin, felt Anna needed a moment to connect with the children. Pulling a discarded melody from South Pacific (“Suddenly Lucky”), Rodgers & Hammerstein … Read More
A Puzzlement
In this powerful soliloquy, the King grapples with what he knows and does not know. Faced with teaching a son whose inherited beliefs are challenged by European ideas, he struggles to find a way to guide his son confidently toward the truth.
The March of the Siamese Children
One by one, the Royal Children of Siam are presented to their new teacher, Anna Leonowens. Choreographer Jerome Robbins brilliantly staged this unique piece of music with majesty and simplicity.
Hello, Young Lovers
When Anna shares a photo of her late husband Tom with Lady Thiang and the royal wives, they find it hard to believe there is a world where one man and one woman can connect for all time. In response, Anna recalls her time with Tom, the love of her life. Uncharacteristically, Oscar Hammerstein II took a long time to … Read More
My Lord and Master
When Tuptim arrives as a gift to the King, she declares that she will always love another; her heart belongs to Lun Tha, the young scholar who has brought her from Burma.
I Whistle a Happy Tune
As their ship approaches Bangkok, Anna teaches her nervous son Louis a helpful way to curtail worrisome thoughts – which she herself secretly feels.