Welcome to Lyric Opera’s production of The King and I.
The King and I has all the elements of triumphantly successful musical theater, with Rodgers and Hammerstein at their absolute peak of achievement. This beautifully constructed show is a wonderful mix of humor, sentiment, romance, and powerful drama. While it has become best known from the celebrated movie version, a stage production of The King and I offers a uniquely exciting experience. Major stagings are comparatively few, which should come as no surprise, given the rigorous demands that this piece poses to any company, especially in casting, production design, and choreography.
We’re thrilled to present two dazzlingly gifted artists, Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban, as Anna and the King of Siam. They’re performing in a production by one of today’s most outstanding directors, Lee Blakeley, which triumphed in its premiere at Paris’s Théâtre du Châtelet. It’s a marvelously imaginative vision of the show, with remarkable contributions from designers Jean-Marc Puissant (sets), Sue Blane (costumes), and Rick Fisher (lighting). With this team, which includes two other much-acclaimed artists, each returning to Lyric – conductor David Chase and choreographer Peggy Hickey – you can anticipate a production to delight the eye and ravish the ear.
If you are new to Lyric Opera, please return soon during our forthcoming opera season. Elsewhere in this program, you will be able to read about all the excitements in store – operas, concerts and special events – here at the Civic Opera House during Lyric’s 2016/2017 season. The season includes productions of some of opera’s best-loved masterpieces, alongside some unexpected and equally thrilling repertoire.
Many thanks for joining us today. Have a wonderful time at The King and I. We look forward to seeing you again next season!
David T. Ormesher
President
Anthony Freud
General Director