Siam in the 19th century is the setting for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The King and I," opening at Playhouse Merced this weekend.
"This show is crafted uniquely to bring English touches into an overall late 19th century Siamese look and feel," director Noelle Chandler said. "The performers do a wonderful job telling the story, and the orchestra supports them seamlessly. There is drama and comedy packed into every song."
"The King and I" is based on the true story of Anna Leonowens, a plucky woman who left England in 1861 to act as governess for the children of King Mongkut, ruler of the nation of Siam, now known as Thailand.
"I love the relationship between the King and Anna," actress Tammy Borges said. "They are miles apart as far as the way they see the world, but are both desperately trying to understand the other. Anna sees that the King needs her in so many ways, but in the end, understands how very much she has learned from him as well. I also love the strength and dignity of Anna's character. She is unafraid to stand for what she know to be right."
Chandler agreed. "It's such a tenuous balance of exhaustion and affection, and Val and Tammy pull it off beautifully."
The show is musically directed by Patrice Stribling Nelson and features Borges as Anna and Valiant Reyes as the King of Siam. The cast includes more than 25 people playing supporting characters, wives and dancers. More than a dozen young people have been cast to play the king's children.
Borges has found managing a hoop skirt to be only one of the challenges of portraying Anna.
"In all seriousness, I think that it has been challenging to be able to express the proper English and poised character of Anna, as well as her humanity and sincere heart," Borges said. "There is a particularly intense scene where you see not only Anna's intense anger, but hurt and disappointment toward the King for returning to his cultural 'barbaric' ways. In the end, she sees that he cannot go back to those ways, no matter how much he wants to do so."
With music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, "The King and I" features a tuneful score that includes such popular songs as "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Getting to Know You," "Hello, Young Lovers" and "Shall We Dance?"
Borges' favorite aspects of the show are the set and the costumes. "The set is gorgeous." she said. "Cory Strauss and his talented crew make the scenery of Siam come alive with the backdrop and set design. The costumes are extremely colorful, unique and gorgeous."
Borges believes this attention to detail adds richness and depth to the production. "This show is visually beautiful as well as having intense drama and many humorous moments as well," she said. "Ultimately it's the tender moments where I believe the audience will fall in love with the characters and come away with a new understanding of cultural differences and the way we can learn from one another."
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