“THE KING and I”: The author (right) and Hoon Lee. PHOTO from Lea Salonga
NEW YORK—Now that our show schedule has changed (we now do one show on Wednesdays and two on Sundays), it has allowed for everyone working on “Allegiance” to watch other shows, whose schedules are different from ours.
One of the musicals I had on my to-watch list is “The King and I,” currently running at Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center.
The night I finally got to watch “The King and I” was very special, because Hoon Lee would be playing the king of Siam.
I met Hoon many years ago while I was doing “Miss Saigon” on Broadway. Our paths crossed again a few years later when he was cast as Chao (and understudied Jose Llana, who played Wang Ta) in the Broadway production of “Flower Drum Song.”
Hoon possesses a deep baritone voice that commands attention whenever he speaks. I was excited to hear that voice of his again, this time as the leading man of this beautiful show.
“The King and I” was the very first musical I ever did in my career, so before I sat in my seat, the music was already playing in my head. Without a doubt, if the previous musical I saw in this same venue—“South Pacific”—is any indication, this would be something wonderful.
And, indeed, it was. From the sets (I mean, just that boat in the opening of the show …) to the costumes, it was a visual feast!
Then, there are the actors: Kelli O’Hara (Anna Leonowens), the aforementioned Hoon (The King), Ruthie Ann Miles (Lady Thiang, which won her a Tony Award in 2015), Ashley Park (Tuptim), Jon Viktor Corpus (Prince Chulalongkorn), Jake Lucas (Louis Leonowens), plus many more dancers, singers and actors, a few of who are friends:
Ali Ewoldt (we were in “Les Miz” together in 2007), MaryAnn Hu and Ann Sanders (these two ladies were in the Old Globe production of “Allegiance”), Paul Nakauchi (he played Tatsuo Kimura in “Allegiance” at the Old Globe), Marc Oka (original Broadway production of “Miss Saigon,” and the LA Music Center and Broadway productions of “Flower Drum Song”).
Getting to see and cheer for those familiar faces onstage was something I was looking forward to.
Kelli was simply beautiful as Anna, her voice delivering some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most beautiful music (“Hello, Young Lovers” was a particular favorite).
Jon Viktor and Jake had wonderful rapport and chemistry as these two young men who end up the best of friends. Ashley’s voice was just ridiculous as Tuptim, delivering “My Lord and Master” with great strength.
Conrad Ricamora wasn’t playing Lun Tha, Tuptim’s lover, but a fantastic Julius Sermonia stepped in. I had seen Julius as a dancer in “Contact” years ago, but I had never heard him sing. He was more than just a pleasant surprise. Wow, what pipes!
The most surprising (in a good way) revelation was Ruthie Ann. It was very clear that her Lady Thiang was not a retiring woman or a mere wife, but someone who possesses and wields her own brand of power in the palace.
Certain lines and lyrics in her hands contain biting commentary on the visitors from the west, and on the effort it’s taking to impress them. I wonder if her portrayal of Imelda in the Public’s production of “Here Lies Love” gave her any insight into how to play a powerful woman in a high position.
As for Hoon, he was able to find a King he could call his own. Charming, bright, curious, sexy, powerful and handsome. He found so much humor and bite in this beloved character, and it made me feel incredibly proud to know him—and to have worked with him!
“The King and I” (this production was directed by Bartlett Sher) was a production so rich for the eyes, ears and the heart. I found myself in tears when I saw the children make their first appearance onstage, at the edge of my seat during the “Small House of Uncle Thomas” ballet (this was excellently danced!), and on my feet cheering everyone at the very end.
I felt proud of all my friends on that stage, and my heart swelled to twice its size. How blessed we all are to be doing what we do—eight times a week!
Bravo!
Celebrity sightings
Over the last week, there were a few run-ins with some mighty famous people: Darren Criss, along with his girlfriend and parents, came to see the show and paid us a visit backstage.
At a tribute to Lena Horne two Mondays ago, Telly Leung and I sang a couple of songs that she performed in the course of her career, and we then got photos taken with Kermit the Frog (performed by Rick Lyon). And finally, good friends Aga and Charlene Muhlach made the trip to see “Allegiance,” too. Thanks, guys!