fannywrites

I had been looking forward to the revival of  The King and I at Lincoln Center since I ordered tickets on line. One lesson learned. I should have taken the time to go to the ticket office instead. The services charge was $48 a ticket.

The production didn’t disappoint. Gorgeous costumes, magnificent scenery. And of course, the music! My 12 year-old grandchildren were mesmerized. My one big disappointment was that Kelli O’Hara was not on that afternoon. Her standby was good, but she was not Kelli O’Hara!

This revival featured many Asian actors and actresses. Whoever was supposed to be South Asian was played by an Asian. Best of all, the King was played by Ken Wanatabe, not a Caucasian. (On screen, the King was played by Chow Yun-Fat.) Wanatabe ‘s singing voice was not in the same league as the others, but he was a good actor and he carried it off splendidly.

Of course, knowing all the songs already added to the pleasure of the performance.