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Culture clash, a battle of the sexes and a war of wills create perfect harmony, musically speaking, in Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's show, The King and I. The enduringly popular musical has become well-known for such favorite songs as "Getting to Know You," "Shall We Dance?" and "I Whistle a Happy Tune." The Saratoga Drama Group opens its 41st season on Sept. 13 with this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic.
The musical is based on Margaret Landon's novel Anna and the King of Siam, which, in turn, took inspiration from the real-life memoirs of Anna Leonowens, an English governess, who, during the 1860s, was brought by King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand) to his court to teach English to the royal children.
Although the true tale of Leonowens' time in Siam was likely more mundane, The King and I offers a romantic dramatization of her story. At first, the King and the outspoken Anna verbally spar over conflicting cultural ideals. It seems that never the twain shall meet, but respect and friendship (and a bit more) eventually grows between the two strong-willed characters, who have more in common than they first realize—or are willing to admit.
Bay Area performer Don Masuda plays the King of Siam and Mindy Pedlar portrays Anna. The Siamese court gets the royal treatment with a substantial cast that includes 13 local young performers as the King's children. C. Michael Traw directs.
The King and I plays Sept. 13Oct. 11 at the Saratoga Civic Theatre, 13777 Fruitvale Ave., Saratoga. Tickets are $16$20 ($22 opening night). For more information, call 408.264.3110 or see http://www.saratogadramagroup.com.
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