Displaying items by tag: Siam

In 2013, The Lyric Opera of Chicago made a commitment to produce five Rogers and Hammerstein musicals and on Saturday night, they opened The King and I – the fourth show of the five – directed by Lee Blakeley in his Lyric Opera directorial debut. 

The King and I tells the tale of Anna, a young widow who travels to Siam with her son to serve as English teacher to the King’s multitude of children. In a country where patriarchy and old traditions prevail, Anna - referred to as “sir” by the King’s wives – is a strong, independent and well educated woman whose strength challenges a king who has never been challenged before. As the strict but loving teacher gets to know her pupils, her relationship with the King grows and despite their differences, she soon finds herself working with him to help convince the western world he is not a barbarian.

Kate Baldwin makes her Lyric Opera debut as Anna and was truly the star of the show, although the youngest of the Kings children certainly gave her a run for her money with a few beyond cute moments! Baldwin swept across the stage in her magnificent hoop skirts and brought strength and beauty to her songs. Unfortunately, Paolo Montalban – also in his Lyric debut – could not quite match Baldwin’s presence on the stage as the King of Siam. His singing was light and needed more power, as did his portrayal of the King which did not quite resonate the the intense and intimidating authority expected of this role.

It was an immense production overall with a massive cast once all of the wives, children, dancers, ensemble and main characters are accounted for. The sets and costumes are direct from the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. Everyone was dressed in colorful and glittering costumes, designed by Sue Blane, that filled the stage with magnificence. The sets, by Jean-Marc Puissant, were rich and intricate bringing the audience from the opulent palace to the classroom and the ship that brought Anna to her new home. 

For dance lovers, the ballet production of “The Small House of Uncle Tom”, choreographed by Peggy Hickey, was excellent with a beautiful blend of traditional ballet and an influence of traditional eastern dance styles. The production within the production incorporated puppets and creative use of props. Lisa Gillespie brings life to the role of Eliza in the ballet which is beautifully narrated by Ali Ewoldt as Tuptim. 

Overall, the Lyric Opera created another magnificent production with The King and I. While not perfect, the sheer magnitude of this show and some excellent performances are sure to please audiences. The show lacks some emotional depth but it still has moments that elicit laughter, bring a gently smile to the surface and even call up some light but somber memories of lost loves. The show runs at the Lyric Opera through May 22nd with weeknight, weekend and matinee performances. Get your tickets and enjoy your trip to Siam.