'King and I' Waltzes onto Broadway

There's nothing like a good, old-fashioned musical done well. And that's what director Bartlett Sher has given us: a "King and I" that maintains the sweep and romance of the original Rodgers and Hammerstein show while toning down the more problematic parts. 

Admittedly, even the original production was more forward-thinking than one might have expected from a musical that premiered on Broadway in 1951. In a time when the East was seen as exotic and women were still considered less than equal to men, Oscar Hammerstein II's book and lyrics presented the court of Siam as a place where people from foreign cultures could meet with open minds and at least one woman — the British schoolteacher Anna (Kelli O'Hara) — was respected for her intelligence.

You likely know the story, which is based on a novelization of a true tale. Anna is hired in 1862 by the King of Siam for his many, many children (and many wives). In so doing, she brings a Western perspective about the role of women and the evils of slavery.

O'Hara, with her soaring, fluid voice, both deepens and strengthens Anna. In her hands, this is a principled woman whose romantic core is tempered by her practicality and "scientific mind." She is never intimidated by the King (Ken Wantanabe). Instead, she stands her ground: she wants a house of her own, she wants to teach the children and she wants to help lovers Tuptim (Ahsley Park) and Lun Tha (Conrad Ricamora) find ways to meet.

Under Sherr's direction, this story is one of two equal cultures meeting, instead of a Western culture instructing a naive Eastern one. Indeed, the Siamese women's sari-like dress seems much more practical and modern to our current eyes than does the gigantic hoop skirt Anna wears.

But more than that, this "King and I" is simply delightful. Wantanabe has big shoes to fill — Yul Brynner owned this part. His words aren't always clear when he sings, but he is a charismatic King, and he and O'Hara have real chemistry.

Anna's really the star of this show. And with O'Hara, a cast of 51, a gaggle of sparkling children and a boat that sails out over the orchestra, this musical makes for (to borrow from another show) an enchanted evening.