Getting To Know... The King And I

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CD CONTENTS:

  • Prelude
  • Opening
  • I Whistle A Happy Tune
  • The March Of The Siamese Children
  • A Puzzlement
  • The Royal Bangkok Academy
  • Getting To Know You
  • Something Wonderful
  • The Small House Of Uncle Thomas
  • Shall We Dance?
  • The Letter
  • The End
  • Encore

Overview / Synopsis

Based on Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and a dazzling score by Richard Rodgers, this musical tells the classic story of the English widow, Anna Leonowens, and her young son and their life at the Royal Palace in Bangkok. Anna has been summoned by the King to serve as tutor to his many children and wives. While they both retain their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King grow to understand and, eventually, respect one another, in this unique and uplifting story of East meets West. For students up through 9th grade. Approximately 70 minutes in length.

Cast of Characters

  • The King is an imposing ruler. Having been born to his royal position and educated only in preparation for the throne, his range of experience is very limited. He has a commanding presence, speaks forcefully, stands solidly on both feet, can be extremely gruff in expressing himself, while also having a keen sense of humor.
  • Anna Leonowens is an English schoolteacher who is intelligent, poised, strong-willed and cultured. Her husband died six years ago leaving her with a young son. A well-educated and patient teacher, she expresses her opinions in a polite but firm manner.
  • Ying is the narrator of the story. Ying as a child - Princess Ying Yaowalak - is another character in the story. She is a daughter of the King and was one of Anna's students thirty years earlier. As she narrates the story, she is looking back on her childhood.
  • Lady Thiang is the King's head wife and mother of Prince Chulalongkorn. She is dignified, humble, dependable and efficient.
  • Louis Leonowens is Anna's son. He is smart and inquisitive, open to and fascinated by new experiences. His father died several years ago and he is very close to and protective of his mother, with whom he has a very strong relationship.
  • Prince Chulalongkorn is the King's oldest son and heir to the throne. Like his father before him, he has been groomed to be king since birth. He is supremely confident in himself, even a bit arrogant and stubborn.
  • The Kralahome holds a very important position within the Royal Palace as the King's most trusted advisor and confidant. He has served the King faithfully for many years, having earned his trust and respect, and he is very protective of the King.
  • Tuptim is a teenage girl from Burma who has been sent to be a slave in the Royal Palace. She speaks English well and loves to read. Tuptim has great determination and is willing to take risks to get what she wants.
  • Lun Tha is a young emissary for the Prince of Burma, and as such is educated and responsible. He is very much in love with Tuptim and would do anything to protect her, but this love causes him to be foolhardy.
  • Sir Edward Ramsay is an extremely dignified and cultured British diplomat. Although he has come to Siam to determine whether or not the King is a barbarian, he is open-minded, gracious and warm.
  • Princess Ying Yaowalak is one of the King's youngest daughters. She will grow up to be Ying, the narrator of the story. She's a delightful, eager little girl who is extremely fond of Anna and heartbroken at the thought of losing her.
  • Captain Orton is a middle-aged Englishman who has spent his life working on the sea. He has probably never seen a single woman with a child travel along on such a long voyage, as Anna and Louis have, and is therefore especially concerned for their well being.
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