The commencement of the MSC OPAS spring series program will be a truly royal affair. The critically acclaimed Lincoln Center Theater Production “The King and I” will premiere in Aggieland on Feb. 5 and 6 at Rudder Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. as part of the OPAS Main Stage series. Hailed a classic, the Broadway musical is expected to entertain and inspire those who witness its historic tale.
Winner of four 2015 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, “The King and I” tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British school teacher in 1860’s Bangkok. Originally produced by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers, the Broadway classic has been revived by the Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher. The musical’s original 1951 orchestrations by composer Robert Russell Bennet, and dance and incidental music by Trude Rittmann, are animated by songs such as “Getting To Know You,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Shall We Dance” and “Something Wonderful.”These classics make for a production that is deemed “Five stars. Grand and glorious” by Time Out New York.
Characteristic of Rodgers and Hammerstein shows, profound social issues such as racism, sexism and classism underlie the musical’s contagious songs and lively dramatics. “Although it has cheerful, well-known music, it is a full length, two hour and fifty minute musical with subject matter that might be difficult for very young children,” says Anne Black, OPAS executive director. She recommends the production is suitable for guests 12 years of age and older.
Audience members are likely to be captivated by the impressive theatrics of the performance, due in part to the award-winning team who oversees this new tour, including Sher, now reunited with the award-winning creative team from the Lincoln Center Theater productions of “South Pacific” and “The Light in the Piazza.” “Audiences can expect a gorgeous Broadway musical classic with music everyone knows, and they may learn a bit about tolerance along the way,” says Black.
Ticket prices start at $28 and can be purchased on the MSC OPAS website or via phone by calling the MSC Box Office at (979)-845-1234. Special ticket prices are available for Texas A&M University students.
For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2FLtqiB.
