The reviews for The King and I are in, and the critics universally admire this astonishing revival. Playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at the Lincoln Center, this sometimes touchy standard is here crafted by the deft, thoughtful hands of director Bartlett Sher. Instead of hiding behind or overemphasizing the seemingly out-of-touch themes of the musical, Sher builds a world of openness and clarity, one where the story and its innate messages somehow ring as truthfully and broadly as ever. The production is at once lavish and large and intimate and honest, thanks in part to creative collaboration with Catherine Zuber (costumes) and Michael Yeargan (set), comrades from Sher’s 2008 South Pacific. The cast is led by the stunning Kelli O’Hara who wins hearts and makes the tale all the more compelling. Ken Watanabe also plays a winning turn as the King of Siam, complete with an authentic language barrier at times. Truth be told, there are dozens of reasons to add The King and I to your shortlist. Simply don’t miss it.
NEW YORK TIMES REVIEW
TIME OUT NEW YORK REVIEW
Lincoln Center Theater’s “The King and I” arrives this spring much like the ship Chow Phya heaves into view of Bangkok on the Vivian Beaumont stage: a majestic vessel of excellent construction, expertly piloted and bringing with it many wonderful things—starting with Kelli O’Hara. What’s more, in a year of bland …
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER REVIEW
The mutual fascination and eternal struggle for understanding across the cultural divide between East and West is played out on a magnificent scale in Lincoln Center Theater’s breathtaking revival of “The King and I.” As he did with the company’s transcendent “South Pacific” seven years ago, director Bartlett …
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