Reviewed by Tony Annicone
The closing Broadway series musical of Hanover Theatre’s ninth season is Rodgers and Hammerstein’s, “The King & I”, one of the duos best work. This version won the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical in 2015. They based this musical on the true story of English school teacher, Anna Leonowens and the seven years she spent in Siam. This story is as fresh and meaningful as it was in her autobiography called “Anna and the King of Siam” which was turned into a movie under the same title. Set in 1860’s Bangkok, the modernistic King sends for the schoolteacher to tutor his many children and wives in the chauvinistic culture of the Eastern world. Two worlds collide in this exquisite and breathtaking musical and is told against the backdrop of the Orient. It also makes a strong statement about a woman’s place in the male dominated society of the 1860’s and by using the example of star crossed lovers, it shows the evilness of slavery. College of Holy Cross graduate Bartlet Sher returns in triumph to Worcester with the musical hit that he directed on Broadway to entrance audiences at the historic Hanover Theatre. He brings this meaningful musical masterpiece to life winning it and his multitalented cast a resounding and well deserved standing ovation as its reward.
