Bangkok, 1862.  The King of Siam’s palace.  Music swells from the orchestra pit, vibrant sets drop into place and you are transported to the world of Anna, an English widow sent to tutor the King of Siam’s many children and wives.  

The happy, familiar sounds of Rodgers & Hammerstein kick off the show, and you can’t help but hum along.  The large cast handles their challenging accents admirably and the King of Siam’s children are darling in their colorful costumes.  And the costumes!  Rented from the national tour of The King & I, they are gorgeous and hard to take your eyes off of.  Rich backdrops and gilded set pieces bring Siam in the 1860’s to life.  Singing, dancing and budding romance bring this Broadway favorite to life.  

Take a trip to Siam and escape from the recent dose of winter!  The King & I runs at the Bedell Performance Hall at the River Campus February 25, 26 and 28 at 7:30 p.m., February 27 at 8 p.m., February 28 and March 1 at 2 p.m.  Learn more here.  

Many thanks to the kind folks at Southeast Missouri State for letting me check out the final dress rehearsal of The King & I!