Jacobs presenting 'The King and I'

This weekend, Harry D. Jacobs High School will be bringing the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein show about a stern king and a liberal governess to life with its production of "The King and I."

The school has brought in younger siblings of some of the play's cast members to portray the king's children onstage, which created an extra challenge for those who helped to put the show together.

"Oftentimes the kids who do the play are kids who do music and they are frequently kids who do so many other things," said William Glynn, director. "Working around the schedule (is difficult), but the kids who are acting are really taking it seriously."

The actors are doing their best to adapt to their roles and take on a new perspective.

"(A challenge is) being able to stay in character when you're onstage," said senior Collin Slagell, who plays the king.

Sophomore Aubrey Waddick, who plays Anna, also found channeling the play's characters to need plenty of focus.

"It's hard to relate with them," said Waddick. "It's hard because there's a time gap and cultural gap, and you really have to get into (the characters)."

Rodgers and Hammerstein's stage adaptation of the book "Anna and the King of Siam" was first brought to life onstage in 1951. The play tells the tale of Anna Leonowens, a woman from England who is brought to the king's palace in Siam to be a live-in governess. She quickly learns of the authoritative manner of the king and does not approve of his strictness, but the eagerness of the children persuades her to stay.

As Anna grows closer to the king's wives and children, they form bonds with Anna that allow them to confide in her and ask for her advice when needed. Even the king comes to Anna for help, which she generously and successfully provides. But when one of the king's wives begins to rebel and overstep her boundaries, her actions may finally be all that the king can handle when it comes to Anna's influence.

"It's very principle heavy," said Waddick. "What you do is very important (to everyone else)."

While the play presents some challenges, the cast is taking it all in stride and keeping up with what needs to be done, explains junior Aimee Tolman, who plays the king's reluctant and rebellious wife, Tuptim.

"There's a lot of work so it takes coordination," said Tolman. "There's some frustration but we have to work together. It's a big show and it helps when people take it seriously and don't blow it off."

For Glynn, the best part of the show is being able to help those working on the show to fully embrace the play.

"(The best part is) working with the kids and creating something totally different from what their normal lives are like," said Glynn. "And it has to be elegant."

For most of the cast and crew, though, the best part of the play is not just making it into something great, but it's also being able to do it with great people.

"I like working with the cast members," said Tolman, "and just getting to do something you love doing with friends and having a good time."

If you goWhat: Harry D. Jacobs High School's production of "The King and I"When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7Where: Harry D. Jacobs High School, 2601 Bunker Hill Drive. AlgonquinTickets: $6 for students and seniors, $8 for adultsCall: (847) 658-2500Cast of 'The King and I'Sam Baran, Janos Csonka Jr., Allie DiDomenico, James Engracia, James Fletcher, Chris Gammad, Matt Grillo, Matthew Fang, Tiffany Fang, Taylor Gammad, Kasey Hoogervorst, Sarah Janowski, Maddie Kern, Megan Kern, Lizzie Kim, Matt Kim, Rebecca Kim, Audrey Minogue, Sarah Moore, J.T. Morrison, Meghan Odendaal, Siobhan Odendaal, Rhiann Owen, Lianne Piel, Alyssa Prasse, Chrissy Ruiz, Taylor Sances, Brynn Schwab, Michelle Sheehan, Colin Slagell, Claire Stahl, Karl Stegeman, Annalise Stevenson, Anna Taylor, Lindsey Taylor, Will Taylor, Madison Thennisch, Dan#233;l Theron, Aimee Tolman, Aubrey Waddick, Eric Waddick, Allison Wellnitz, Kelly Williams, Diana Willerth, Jeremy Wills, Chris Zeglin