Theater plays are powerful avenues for cultural expression. We’re so lucky that Philippines boasts of talented theater actors and actresses we should all be proud of. When in Manila, you wouldn’t want to miss out on something big in theater world that’s sure to wow the audience on September 15– The King and I.
The King and I promises to be an excellent theater play. Seeing the preview, I can say that it sure is! The venue is no other than the state-of-the-art theater Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila, perfect for The King and I’s magnificent production set and a superb all-Filipino cast!
The King is played by “The Engineer” of Miss Saigon, three-time Aliw Awardee Leo Tavarro Valdez and his love, Anna, is portrayed by two veteran actresses: the Kim of Miss Saigon (London production) Monique Wilson and the Nala of Festival of Lion King (Hong Kong Disneyland) Shiela Valderrama.
three-time Aliw Awardee Leo Tavarro Valdez and veteran actress Monique Wilson
talented actress Shiela Valderrama
Theater wouldn’t be complete without the props and the costumes for they add the flavor and strengthen the theme of the story. For The King and I, costumes were well-thought of and definitely alluring!
But it’s no surprise once you learn that it’s the renowned fashion designer Mr. Rajo Laurel who made those costumes possible!
The cast, the set, the costumes, everything is superb! But of course, it’s no other than the three-time Aliw Awardee for Best Director Freddie Santos who’s behind this theater play!
On top of it all, The King and I gives you a colorful story of love, courage and respect. It tells the journey of Anna, a British schoolteacher who became the King’s governess. Anna and her love for the King is wonderful in itself but The King and I is actually more than romance, it is a theater play which aims to show that humanity could and should transcend the differences among people.
When in Manila, let us support the theater industry and Filipino talent! Be enthralled by one of the biggest theater plays to hit the country, The King and I!
The King and I opens on September 15, 2012. You may visit www.rwmanila.com for more information.
