Beef and Boards takes a new look at “The King and I”

Opening on April 4th Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre will present The King and I by Rodgers and Hammerstein on its stage for the first time in over 20 years. This Tony Award-winner for Best Musical is based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. In 1862 a British widow and her son are retained by the king of Siam to provide tutoring for his many wives and children. Two  distinct cultures meet and struggle for understanding.

From a March 2024 B&B Press Release: Brian Jose, director, is prioritizing authentic details in the Beef & Boards production – including acknowledging that the real Anna Leonowens was of Anglo-Indian descent. “That slight shift makes all the difference,” Jose pointed out. “Instead of a story that can easily be seen as a white savior/colonialism story, we get a more complex story about a woman who has had to suppress her culture in order to advance in society to provide for her children as a single mother.” Jose added, “In a time when political wars have eliminated a middle ground and religious wars have fueled so much destruction and hatred, a show about exploring our differences and attempts to understand each other seems like just what we need.”

The King and I is filled with powerful emotions, beautiful costumes, and unforgettable Rodgers and Hammerstein songs including “Getting To Know You,” “Something Wonderful,” “I Whistle A Happy Tune,” and the iconic “Shall We Dance.”
The King and I is on stage for 50 performances through May 19 in the intimate space of Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. To see the complete performance schedule and to purchase tickets online, visit beefandboards.com. Tickets are also available by calling the Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre Box Office at 317.872.9664.