The King & I is a renowned musical, a musical that falls in the stage musical sub-genre, which is based upon the true story of a governess to the King of Siam. This incredible musical became so popular that it was turned into a box office hit, a movie that awed millions all over the world. The musical itself has left thousands of Americans speechless with its breathtaking story, a story that is emotional as well as knowledgeable. This splendid musical is the work of a team headed by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rogers and was the fifth musical created by this awesome team. The musical itself is based upon the best-selling novel, Anna and the King of Siam, released in 1944. Thus, for a very fabulous and entertaining stage musical, all you need in your hands are The King & I tickets and you are all set for an exciting time! The King And I tickets are available at affordable rates, so don’t miss them this season.

 

This musical, based upon the Margaret Landon best selling 1944 novel, Anna and the King of Siam, is in itself based upon a true story. This factual story was drawn from Anna Leonowens or rather from her memoirs. Anna Leonowens was the governess to the then King of Siam, King Mongkut. She was hired back in 1860 to teach the children on the King of Siam and thus her memoirs, as well as the novel, describe this very hefty time. The story itself and the musical follow Anna, a British schoolteacher, who works as a governess as part of the King of Siam’s plan to modernize his country. The story then follows the relationship between the King and Anna, a very turbulent relationship that also has its loving parts.

The story and the setting result in an entertaining and very emotional story, something truly unique. This amazing musical, The King & I, debuted back in 1951 on Broadway at the St James Theatre and has since then seen numerous performances. The idea for the musical itself was by Fanny Holtzmann, then theatrical attorney managing his client, one of the leading ladies of her time, Gertrude Lawrence. While looking for a role for his actress client, he suddenly came to the conclusion that Margaret London’s recently published book would be the perfect act for his actress and so he contacted Hammerstein and Rodgers. Despite being reluctant at the start, this duo and their team started work on the musical and drafted in actor Yul Brynner to play the role of the king.

In a short time, the musical was done and saw its premier hardly a year later at the St James Theatre, on Broadway. This stage musical was an instant big hit; it immediately won not one but three different Tony Awards as the Best Musical, the Best Actress going to Gertrude Lawrence and as the Best Featured Actor going to Yul Brynner. In only three years, this musical had seen a record one thousand two hundred and forty six performances, a very huge figure for only three years. It had a spectacular tour all over America as well as across the ocean to London and in 1956, a hit movie was also released. This movie also featured Yul Brynner as King Mongkut, a role for which he won an Academy Award.

This stage musical, with an Oscar winning movie to its name, has since then seen many revivals and numerous tours including many runs on Broadway. The main character in the musical is also a historical figure and her origins were also shrouded in much mystery.

Being dark skinned at that time, Anna Leonewens did not reveal her origins but it was later found out that she had a mix European and Asian heritage as the daughter of a clerk and hotel keeper’s widow and a soldier from the Indian Army. With such a mystery and a story filled with suspense, it is no wonder that thousands have fallen in love with this musical and it has many awards over the course of the years including a record five Tony Awards. Thus, this is a musical that should definitely be seen live, through the use of The King & I tickets.

The King And I Characters

• Anna Leonowens
• Captain Orton
• King Mongkut
• King of Siam
• Lady Thiang
• Louis Leonowens
• Lun Tha
• Phra Alack
• Prince Chulalongkorn
• Sir Edward Ramsey
• The Kralahome
• Tuptim

The King And I Cast

• Deborah Kerr
• Martin Benson
• Patrick Adiarte
• Rita Moreno
• Yul Brynner