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Three monks dressed in saffron-colored robes silently crossed the stage in front of a curtain printed with vibrant Asian iconography as the overture began. It’s clear we weren’t in Kansas anymore as East met West at the Starlight Theatre for the spectacular season opener, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I”.

Playing to a three-quarter full house Tuesday night in Swope Park, the talented cast told the timeless story of Anna and the King of Siam. “The King and I” is a provocative musical that strives to balance opposing ideas about the roles of men and women, the power of the master over the slave, and the cultural differences between East and West. It challenges the audience to examine what has changed post Civil War and what has stayed the same. The play is particularly astute at comparing how subservient the role of women in our society can be. Through Anna, a fresh independent feminine voice is heard.

Lou Diamond Phillips headed the cast as the strutting and scientifically-minded King. Garnering critical acclaim for the role around the country, he brings a controlled energy to the role as he struggles to bring his country into the modern world. In the song, “Is a Puzzlement,” he plays the tortured ruler to perfection. His voice was excellent and he gave an impassioned interpretation.

Rachel Bay Jones made a compelling Anna. She gave the role warmth, humor, and sex appeal, which is no small task when buried in a hoop skirt. Her spirited delivery of the song, “Shall I tell you what I think of you?” was borderline raunchy. Her singing voice sometimes had a bluesy edge and she struggled to keep the high notes at the end of “Good Night Young Lovers,” in her chest voice but overall she was in complete character.

Local Leawood resident Grant Karpin played Louis, Anna’s young son, though you’d never guess he was a Midwesterner from his spot-on British accent. Brian Mathis turned in admirable performances as the kindly Captain Orton and as Sir Edward Ramsay, Anna’s former love interest.

The feisty and educated slave girl, Tuptim, was played to perfection by Diane Phelan. Her tale is the most tragic, sold to the King of Siam and held as a captive, she is shunned by the other wives and when she tries to escape, her lover (played by baritone Joshua Delacruz) is killed. She and Delacruz had amazing synergy in their duet, “We Kissed in the Shadow.”

Other stand-outs include Anne Sanders as the head wife, who brought quiet, personal discipline and faithful accent to her role in addition to having a glorious voice. Through her song, “Something Wonderful,” the audience can begin to feel compassion for the King by her unconditional love. Raul Aranas, as the King’s head council gave his performance a stoic face, although I would have preferred to see his relationship to Anna evolve over the course of the play.

And then there was the chorus. Beautiful, bejeweled women and adorable local children cast from all around the metro, filled the stage as the wives and offspring of the King. The presentation of the children to Mrs. Anna was one of the great joys of this production as each child had their own personality and innocent curiosity. The ladies of the chorus shone when Anna dressed them in Victorian English finery for a diplomatic dinner. The women, thinking the Englishmen will eat them, screamed in horror when the Sir Edward Ramsay peered at them through his “evil eye” or monocle. 

 The second act was packed with action. Tuptim’s interpretation of Uncle Tom’s Cabin or “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” was a spectacle not to be missed. Thrilling costumes and expertly performed, stylistic choreography made this the climax of the show. Follow this with the beloved number, “Shall we Dance?” and what could make an audience happier?

Spending a breezy, easy night at Starlight is one of the best summertime experiences in Kansas City. Getting to see The King and I with all of its glitz, pomp and pageantry is a pleasure to afford.

REVIEW:
Starlight Theatre
The King and I
June 6-12, 2011 at 8:00pm (reviewed Tuesday June 7^th)
Starlight Theatre
4600 Starlight Drive, Kansas City, MO
For more information visit www.kcstarlight.com

Top Photo: Lou Diamond Phillips stars as the King of Siam (Photo by Rick Dalton)

By Megan Browne Helm

Classical, Vocal and Theatre Contributor

Megan Browne Helm grew up singing, dancing and acting.  Inspired by Emma Kirkby as a high school student in St. Louis she went on to study voice and sing with the Collegium Musicum at the Oberlin Conservatory in Ohio where she also had a radio show of contemporary classical music on WOBC.  At the University of Kansas she had the pleasure of working with former Kings’ Singer, Simon Carrington in his Collegium Musicum and Oread consort. Years later, she was a choral fellow at the Yale School of Music’s  Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.  She is currently singing with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus under the direction of Charles Bruffy. 

 As a freelance music and culture writer her work can be found on KCMetropolis.org, presentmagazine.com, the Lawrence Journal World, Shawnee Magazine, Leawood Lifestyle Magazine and KC Parent.  She was one of 26 journalists in the country chosen as a NEA Institute Fellow for Classical Music and Opera at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. 

Her current interest is how classical music remains relevant through active collaborations with artists in different fields, including science.  She also sees a connection between classical music, travel and food as a way to engage all of the senses in a 360 degree cultural experience.  She blogs at raworganum.wordpress.com.