Review: DHT’s ‘The King and I’

REVIEW BY JOHN BERGER / jberger@staradvertiser.com

Due to an enthusiastic response, "The King and I," directed by Greg Zane and playing at Diamond Head Theatre, has been extended to run through April 17. —Courtesy photo

“The King and I” has been done so many times since it first opened on Broadway 60 years ago that reviewing contemporary productions is essentially a matter of assessing how well the new show matches up to the benchmarks set by the original. Measured in those terms, Diamond Head Theatre’s latest take on the timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein classic is a marvelous revival.

Gorgeous sets? Willie Sabel’s beautiful red-and-gold creations instantly establish the mood and setting — a regal, richly appointed, lovingly romanticized 19th century Thailand.

Music? DHT veteran Musical Director Emmett G. Yoshioka and his musicians do a magnificent job with Rodgers’ beloved score, and Mikel J. Humerickhouse (Sound Design) ensures that the singers’ work is fully appreciated as well.

The king’s cute offspring? Director/choreographer Greg Zane has assembled a fine collection of talented and reliable young performers for the roles of the king’s most favored children — some of them the real-life children of older members of the cast. Each one hit their marks on opening night; Ariana Kashimoto added a show-stopping hold-your-breath moment as the young fan dancer.

The “Small House” ballet? Kathryn Lee (Eliza) actually appears to be skating on the frozen river.

Strong supporting performances? Tony Young (The Kralahome) is appropriately shrewd and commanding. Grace Bell (Lady Thiang) makes “Something Wonderful” the searing emotional showstopper it must be if the dynamics of the story are to fall into place. Meilan Akaka (Tuptim) and Jay Flores (Lun Tha) are well matched as the star-crossed young lovers; Akaka’s big solo, “My Lord and Master,” introduces the tragic subplot, and the duets that follow lays bare the lovers’ torment.

The two stars of the production live up to expectations as well.

Paolo Montalban has the stature and bearing of an absolute monarch. What’s more, he succeeds in making the role his own. Yes, there are moments in “A Puzzlement” and “Song of the King” when it is easy to imagine Yul Brynner’s iconic voice and delivery, but Montalban is a strong, vibrant and likeable king. In Montalban’s performance we see a monarch who enjoys being the king of Siam despite all the challenges and threats and new ideas that he is confronted with.

Tricia Marciel (Anna) does a remarkable job submerging herself in the character. In recent years Marciel has been one of the most frequently seen actors in local theater, but from the moment she appears on stage there’s no question that we’re watching Anna Leonowens in Thailand rather than Tricia Marciel starring in another show.

As for the benchmarks in her role, Marciel delivers on the bittersweet sentiment expected in “Hello, Young Lovers” and the requisite carefree charm in Getting to Know You.” She also looks like she’s having a great time with Anna’s semi-comic rant, “Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?”

Montalban and Marciel do their most memorable work together in the climatic scene where the king and Anna dance Western-style and appear to come within a second of a kiss before outside events intrude. Marciel’s body language in key moments suggest that Anna is confronting and overcoming her personal racial prejudices. Montalban’s performance strongly hints that the King is aware of English notions of racial superiority — and perhaps has some racial notions of his own.

Zane and Montalban conform to the traditional “book” by presenting the king as a proud and stubborn autocrat who would let his kingdom be destroyed rather than admit he doesn’t know something — let alone ask a woman for advice. These aspects of the king’s character drive many of the show’s comic moments — and it would be bowdlerizing the show to remove them. However, the historical King Mongkut was probably more like the show’s Kralahome, who shrewdly deploys Lady Thiang to manipulate Anna into choosing to stay and serve the king. After all, the “book” comes from Leonowens’ account of her time in Bangkok, not the memoirs of the king.

Such quibbles aside, DHT’s “King” is a beautiful treatment of a timeless Broadway classic, and one that meets the standard benchmarks on all counts.

‘The King and I’

Presented by Diamond Head Theatre

» Where: Diamond Head Theatre, 520 Makapuu Avenue
» When: 8:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays through Apr. 17.
» Cost: $12-$42 (discounts available)
» Info: 733-0274 or www.diamondheadtheatre.com