The King and I originally opened in March of 1951 and starred British musical comedy star Gertrude Lawrence as Mrs. Anna, the teacher who comes to Siam (now Thailand) to live in the palace of the King and teach his children. The show was written for Lawrence whose name was the only one on the marquee.  In the 1940’s  Richard Watts of the New York Herald Tribune had described Lawrence as  “the greatest feminine performer in the American theatre.  The King and I was a triumph for her and she won the Tony for her performance.   However, Lawrence was ill with liver cancer (undiagnosed) when the show opened and, though  she gradually did fewer and fewer performances.  As her performances decreased, she insisted that Yul Brynner, who was playing The King, be added to the marquee.   Lawrence died in September of 1952 and only after her death was her illness actually confirmed.    Yul Brynner’s role in the show gained more importance as Lawrence’s performances became less frequent.  H had also won the Tony for his portrayal as  The King.   By the time Brynner closed the show on Broadway, his was the only name on the marquee and for the next thirty years with Brynner as the King, that would be the starring role.

By 1985, Brynner was at the end of performing as the King and there was discussion of returning the emphasis of the musical to Mrs. Anna.  All discussions led to one choice, Julie Andrews.  Julie Andrews had always wanted to play Mrs. Anna, but she actually never got to play the role on stage.   However, in 1992 Phillips Records decided to make a studio recording of The King and I with Julie Andrews as Mrs. Anna.  She was joined by an outstanding supporting cast which included:  Ben Kingsley as the King, Lea Salonga as Tuptim, Peabo Bryson as Lun Tha, Marilyn Horne as Lady Thiang with Martin Sheen and Roger Moore adding speaking roles.

This is a wonderful recording.  Andrews was at the apex of her vocal powers and from her first notes of “Whistle A Happy Tune,” you are captured by Mrs. Anna.  In “Hello, Young Lovers,” Andrews seems to be speaking to every listener of the CD.  Her enunciation is wonderful and helps create a sense of longing that is amplified even more by her breath control and phrasing.   “Getting to Know You” was a center piece of the score and her performance here makes sure that you understand this and clearly lays out that Mrs. Anna is the real star of this show.  It is difficult not to move with the music and even more difficult not to sing along.  Throughout the recording which includes some dialogue, Andrews as Mrs. Anna is the cohesive element that ties everything together.

Supporting Andrews, Ben Kingsley, not know for musical roles, is terrific as The King.  His singing is adequate, but more more dramatic than musical adds real umph to the role of The King. On the other hand Lea Salonga, who was wowing New York audiences in Miss Saigon at the time of this recording, creates a great picture of a young Tuptim, alone in Bangkok and in love with Lun Tha.  Her tone,  pitch and phrasing are extraordinary and no recording by anyone who has ever done this show matches her performance here.  Peabo Bryson as Lun Tha joins Salonga in “We Kiss In the Shadow” and “I Have Dreamed” and they are a perfectly matched vocal pair.  Opera Diva Marilyn Horne, who has always been a fine crossover performer, renders “Something Wonderful” with great power and maturity, something demanded by the role.  The entire cast is supported by The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by John Mauceri.

This is more that just a cast recording, it is a dramatic presentation of the score.  It is one of my favorite studio cast recordings of all time.  I never get tired of listening to it.  If you have never heard it, buy it.  I guarantee you are in for a great treat.

Categories: Studio Cast Recordings
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