Siam & songs

Culture clash and memorable music drive the story of The King and I.

NEW PORT RICHEY - For more than half a century, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's dramatic musical The King and I has been a favorite of audiences and players alike. With richly drawn characters, beautiful music, lavish costumes and a stage full of cute kids, it's been a winner all the way around.

Now, Richey Suncoast Theatre has launched its version of the Broadway classic. Set in 1862, The King and I has schoolteacher/widow Anna Leonowens arriving in Bangkok ostensibly to tutor the many wives and children of the autocratic, but intellectually inquisitive king. The king's secret hope is to learn Western ways from Anna in order to impress visiting dignitaries and keep them from casting covetous eyes on his country.

Anna is horrified by the king's polygyny and tries to convince him to change his ways. The king is vexed by Anna's lack of deference to him and her assertive manner. Over time, the two learn to understand and respect each other and each other's ways.

As they do, the audience is treated to the touching Hello, Young Lovers, the rousing Shall We Dance?, and the poignant musical-within-the-musical The Small House of Uncle Thomas, a clever indictment of slavery by Tuptim, one of the king's unwilling wives.

Playing the title roles are Dan Maxwell (Daddy Warbucks in Annie) as the King and Nancy Scott (Grace in Annie; Agnes in I Do! I Do!) as Anna. Playing the feature role of Lady Thiang, the king's main wife, is Alsie Morris, who also played the role at the Show Palace Dinner Theatre.

The delicate Tuptim is played by Star Dawn Verosic (Lucy in Ladies in Retirement; Agnes in Gypsy). Her lover, Lun Tha, is played by Keith Surplus (Angie the Ox in Guys and Dolls). The stern Kralahome, head of the king's household, is played by David Rodriguez (Marcus Lycus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum).

The 53-member cast also has Austin Ciliberti as the king's favorite son, Prince Chululonghorn; David Edwards as the visiting dignitary Sir Edward Ramsay; Louis Ramsey-Woods as Anna' son Louis, plus 15 wives, 23 children and four slaves.

WHAT: The King and I

WHERE: Richey Suncoast Theatre, 6237 Grand Blvd., New Port Richey

WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday and weekends through Sept. 28. Shows are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

TICKETS: $15, reserved seating. Box office is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and an hour before each show. Call (727) 842-6777.

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