The musical journey of ‘King and I’

CEBU, Philippines - The voyage to the dazzling land of Siam continues in The King and I, extended until this month at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila (RWM).

The King and I is the fifth masterpiece of the celebrated tandem of composer Richard Rodgers and dramatist Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and tells the story of a widowed English school teacher Anna Leonowens who travels to Siam to serve as tutor to the many children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s, as part of the king’s effort to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict and confrontations throughout the story, but also with love that neither of them dare succumb to.

Considered as one of the most beloved classics in theater, The King and I has garnered world-wide acclaim, including 5 Tony Awards for its original 1951 Broadway run, and 5 Academy Awards for its 1966 film adaptation. Resorts World Manila’s King and I garnered 3 Aliw Awards including Best Director for Freddie Santos, Best Musical Production for 2012 and 9 nominations including Best Actor in a Musical for Bo Cerrudo; Best Actress in a Musical for Shiela Valderamma; Best Child Performer for Anton Posadas; Best Actress in a Featured Role for both Gina Respall and Tanya Manalang.

The reinvention of Bo

The role of King Mongkut may have been immortalized by Hollywood actor Yul Brynner but seasoned actor/singer Bo Cerrudo, who has reinvented himself by going back to his musical roots certainly did justice to the role.

The career of his once-named Bimbo Cerrudo saw him appear in Armida Siguion-Reyna’s “Aawitan Kita” and his eventual foray into mainstream music singing ballads and pop songs. But it would be in theater that this multi-faceted performer would find his niche.

Cerrudo totally disappears on stage, blending successfully into his heavily-accented character as the ruler of Siam who struggles to hold on to tradition but is determined to push himself and his kingdom into the modern world. And who, when at a loss for words, would arrogantly latch onto his favorite expression of “et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!”

Feast of the senses

The King and I is a virtual feast of the senses, a magical journey to ancient Siam. Set designer Jo Tecson used giant props and backdrop to showcase the grandeur and opulence of the kingdom.

Set changes were seamlessly executed, bringing the audience to the ship dock, the courtyard, inside the throne room, the classroom and the ballroom where Anna, wearing an Irene-Sharaff-designed ball gown, taught the king how to dance the polka in ‘Shall We Dance’.

For those who will watch the show for the first time, prepare to be dazzled by the colorful costumes of the royal wives led by Lady Thiang, the chief wife and the numerous children with Prince Chulalongkorn as the heir to the throne.

The musical numbers would take the fans who grew up watching this musical down memory lane with favorites like “I Whistle a Happy Tune”, “Getting to Know You”, Tuptim and Lun Tha’s “We Kiss in a Shadow”, “Shall We Dance” and the story within a story of Tuptim’s “The Small House of Uncle Thomas.”

The grand-scale performance of this much beloved musical is being staged at the 1,500-seater, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater, which boasts of state-of-the-art lights and sounds innovations, and the largest LED wall in all of Southeast Asia.

The King and I is directed by premier concert and theater director Freddie Santos, with musical numbers backed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra and performances from the Philippine Ballet Theater. (FREEMAN)