By Whitney Smith
The Commercial Appeal
With its exquisite sets, strong leads, and homage to Asian culture in everything from casting to choreography, the touring production of The King and I at the Orpheum this week is high-quality musical theater.
A spinoff of the recent Broadway revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's 1950s classic, the tour amounts to a winning U.S. stage debut for London-born actress Hayley Mills, widely known since the '50s for work from British stage classics and murder mysteries to Disney films.
As Anna, the independent widowed governess who introduces a stubborn Siamese ruler to more Western culture than he bargained for, Mills sings such classics as I Whistle A Happy Tune and Hello, Young Lovers tunefully. Her dramatic portryal blends independence, grace, and a touch more romance than Victorian mores might have condoned.
Brash confidence gradually softened by romance distinguished Vee Talmadge's fine interpretation of the king. With his long ponytail, Talmadge struck up an image far different from the bald pate of Yul Brynner, who was famous for the role late in life.
This touring production features two winning romantic leads, the sweet-voiced Luzviminda Lor as Tuptim and the robust tenor Timothy Ford Murphy as her lover, Lun Tha.
To the role of Lady Thiang, a loyal and protective member of the Siamese court, Helen Yu displayed a large and beautiful mezzo voice of operatic quality. Her dramatic portrayal also helped put a human face on the rather stiff king.
The cast features a large brood of appealingly comic and talented children. They won plenty of applause at Wednesday night's performance, which drew more than 1,700.
Choreography ingeniously reflects the influence of Thai ballet and the handiwork of Australian scenic designer Brian Thomson and costumer Roger Kirk is impressive. The scenery includes intricate rigging in the opening scene of Anna's arrival by ship, glittering gold in the Siamese king's throne room and ornate painting and prints on backdrops.
To reach reporter Whitney Smith, call 529-2556 or E-mail smithwhit@gomemphis.com