The King and I

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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?

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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.

The Small House of Uncle Thomas Ballet

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

Lun Tha and Tuptim, planning to leave Siam that night, look forward to their future together.

Western People Funny

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

Preparing for the arrival of British dignitaries, the palace women wear uncomfortable European clothing and comment on the absurdity of Western customs.

Something Wonderful

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

In an appeal to Anna, Lady Thiang explains the complexity of her relationship with the King.

A Puzzlement (Reprise)

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

Lun Tha and Tuptim, reunited in secret, dream of a world where they can be together in the sunlight.

Getting to Know You

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

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

Rodgers & HammersteinThe King and I

As their ship approaches Bangkok, Anna teaches her nervous son Louis a helpful way to curtail worrisome thoughts – which she herself secretly feels.