Sunday, August 6, 2017

The King and I - NOVA this week

Observations from my weekly wanderings, usually in Northern Virginia (NOVA).

Yesterday my wife and I attended a performance of The King and I at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.



In short, it was magnificent. Laura Michelle Kelly was beautiful and convincing as Anna (even if you have Deborah Kerr or Jodie Foster thoroughly pegged in that role), and the children were adorable and seemed to be having a good time. But for me, Jose Llana, as the King, was the most impressive. He was sort of a cross between Chow Yun Fat’s charm and Yul Brynner’s bombastic presence.

Besides the pure pleasure of the performance, The Kennedy Center is a glorious structure and a memorable experience.

And finally, it reminded me of two books I need to add TBR: Anna and the King of Siam, and The Small House of Uncle Thomas aka Uncle Tom’s Cabin.


I love Anna’s story. I’ve been to Thailand a few times – she changed the course of history in that nation. It’s always thrilling to review a portion of her story.

3 comments:

  1. We listened to an audio recording of the book & the story was very interesting & worthwhile. A great look at the culture & beliefs of Siam.

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  2. How cool that you've been to Thailand!

    I saw The King and I live when I was in my teens, with Hayley Mills as Anna. It was such fun! I've loved the Deborah Kerr/Yul Brynner version for as long as I can remember, too. And I read Anna and the King of Siam in high school as well. Love that story!

    BTW, I was at the Library of Congress with my kids and my dad yesterday, and thought of you. I didn't get a library card, but I did read a whole book aloud to my kids in the Young Reader's Center. Really fun place, and I want to take my kids back another time, earlier in the day -- that part closes at 4:30, and we wandered in about 4:15, so didn't have long to explore. Which is partly my fault for spending so long ogling George Gershwin's piano in another exhibit...

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  3. Thanks and nicely done on your LoC visit.

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