Review: On Theater: A majestic ‘King and I’ revival at Segerstrom Center

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II revolutionized the musical theater world back in the 1940s with shows like “Oklahoma” and “South Pacific,” which have retained their popularity through numerous revivals, but another, less-visited show may well be the composers’ magnum opus.

This would be “The King and I,” currently onstage in a magnificent production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Its all-encompassing scope is immediately evident in the opening scene when a full-sized ship pulls into Bangkok’s harbor framed by the most huge and glorious of sunsets.

The show’s roots are deep. The popular 1956 movie was based on another black and white picture entitled “Anna and the King of Siam,” inspired by Margaret Landon’s novel which, in turn, drew from the writings of an English teacher hired to educate the king’s children during the period of the American Civil War.

The current production, superbly directed by Bartlett Sher, excels in the vocal power of its principals and glows against Michael Yeargan’s awesome settings. It also features some dynamic choreography (primarily with children) by Christopher Gattelli.

Laura Michelle Kelly is terrific as the reserved but determined “Mrs. Anna,” a widow facing a daunting task in a strange country. She rants to the king: “I am from a civilized land called Wales / Where men like you are kept in county jails.”

The object of her tirade, the brutal, authoritarian ruler, is dynamically enacted by Jose Llana as the title character who attempts to modernize his kingdom against his traditional instincts. His conflicted solo number, “A Puzzlement,” sternly sums up his attitude.

Strong supporting performances are delivered by Joan Almedilla as the king’s favored wife, Anthony Chan as the sinewy crown prince and, most notably, Q Lim as Tuptim, the beautiful princess-hostage whose lustrous singing voice draws volumes of applause.

It’s a lengthy show at nearly three hours, much of which is taken up with the choreographically stunning “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” vignette, but it’s well worth the time allotted to capture the seldom-seen spectacle presented by “The King and I.”

“The King and I” runs through March 11 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tickets start at $29. For more information, call (714) 556-2787 or visit scfta.org.

A ‘Bullets’-paced farce at the Gem

Take one of Woody Allen’s better movies, mix in a collection of popular songs from its 1928 setting, stir thoroughly and add a generous dose of farcical satire and you’ve got a hugely entertaining production called “Bullets Over Broadway.”

Local theatergoers’ first look at this delightful concoction is available at Garden Grove’s Gem Theater where director and musical director Damien Lorton has injected Glen Kelly’s adaptation of the Allen flick with his own brand of showy showmanship. You’ll be, as one golden oldie in the score puts it, sitting on top of the world.

Playgoers may recall the 1994 movie in which a straight-shooting young playwright succumbs to the opportunity of getting his new work produced on Broadway. All he has to do is give a mobster’s raspy-voiced girlfriend a major role and allow one of the crime boss’s thugs free access to rehearsals.

Alex Bodrero enacts the talented but naive playwright with a strong sense of morality which crumbles when he allows the bodyguard to co-opt his scripting duties and veers from his longtime ladyfriend to the show’s star, a demanding diva who periodically silences him with Dianne Wiest’s most famous movie line, “Don’t speak.”

That role, which won Wiest her second Oscar, is played wonderfully by the illustrious Beth Hansen, who’s as notable on the local theater circuit as is her character in the Gem comedy. Kat Gutierrez plays the girlfriend with an abundance of heart and a superb singing voice.

Swiping the show with his bulk and his overbearing manner is Robert Edward as Cheech, the mob enforcer and executioner who also purloins the play’s authorship. Nicole Cassesso, a fixture at the Gem, shimmers as the out-of-her-element actress with a brassy, untheatrical manner.

Also entertaining are Glenn Koppel as the gritty mob boss, Peter Crisafulli as the play’s versatile leading man, and Kaden Narey as his smooth understudy. Lorton’s tiny Chihuahua, Roxy, is a cute addition to the show.

Seasoned theatergoers won’t have any trouble recognizing the musical numbers, which include such pop classics as “Up a Lazy River,” “Tiger Rag,” “There’ll Be Some Changes Made” and “She’s Funny That Way.” The ensemble signs off with a sprightly version of “Yes! We Have No Bananas.”

Choreographers Heather Holt-Smith and Katie Marshall have whipped the large company into a smoothly functioning unit. Larry Watts’ period costumes are first rate and the orchestra, helmed by Kevin Homma, is terrific.

Allen might not recognize several elements of his 1994 creation, but he’d likely chuckle loud and long at “Bullets Over Broadway” in its local premiere at the Gem Theater.

“Bullets Over Broadway” runs through March 18 with performances at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays at Gem Theater, 12852 Main St., Garden Grove. Tickets are $26 to $30. For more information, call (714) 741-9550, ext. 221 or visit onemoreproductions.com.

TOM TITUS reviews local theater.