The story is based on Margaret Landon’s novel Anna and the King of Siam, which itself is based on real-life teacher Anna Leonowens, a British woman who went to Siam (now Thailand) to tutor the king’s children and concubines during the 1860s. The script and music create one of the greatest relationships in musical theatre between Lady Anna and The King.

Creating that relationship on the J*Company stage are long-time J*Company veterans Ali Viterbi and Daniel Myers. Ali delivers a beautiful performance with lovely singing (and with a nice British accent), a charming playfulness as she is won over by the king’s children in Getting to Know You, good understated humor, a deeply romantic soul (Hello Young Lovers), and with her complicated relationship to the king. In which role Daniel is brilliant, shining in the challenging Puzzlement scene as he troubles over his responsibilities, using voice and physicality to remarkable effect, and inhabiting the role mind, body, and soul. And with his hair, which he had shaved off to raise cancer awareness, an effort joined in by newly bald Joey Landwehr and used to help raise more than $5,000 for Rady Children’s Hospital.

Elsewhere, Hana Pak and Zachary Herzog are earnest young lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha with good vocals, Gabriela Lipson delivers a poignant Something Wonderful as she describes her husband and king who often fails but tries, and Ian Laughbaum as an over-the-top former flame of Anna. The ensemble shine in such scenes as Getting to Know You and as dancers in a fantastic reenactment of Small House of Uncle Thomas led by Hana Pak and featuring Danielle Levin as Eliza, Scott Peterson as the furious Simon of Legree, Maddie Houts as Topsey, and the graceful and stunning Ashley Lynch as the Angel, choreographed masterfully by Deven P. Brawley.

Director Joey Landwehr’s show is a hit in all areas – strong acting, an excellent live orchestra, and a visually lavish production. Beautiful costumes by Shulamit Nelson are highlighted by the gorgeous creations used in the Uncle Thomas play within a play, and magnificent sets by David Wiener help kick the show off as the enormous prow of the ship Anna sails in on opens to transform into the palace within she will soon reside and cause all sorts of difficulty.

Performs December 3 - 13, 2009

Rob Hopper
National Youth Theatre