ArtReach to stage ‘The King and I’ at Harper

Posted April 11, 2012 8:11 am

Submitted by Art Reach/Spotlite

ArtReach Educational Theatre, in partnership with Spotlite Theatrix Production Company, will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I” April 20-21 and 27-28.

Performances will be at Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 20; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 21; 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27; and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28.

For tickets, call (630) 808-5852 or visit artreachspotlite.com. Tickets are $18 at the door and $16 in advance. Reservations are recommended.

The Western World is closing in on Thailand in the 1860s. Hoping to give his family the necessary knowledge to survive in this New World, the King of Thailand hires a British governess, Anna, for his children.

At first, Anna and the King struggle to find common ground between Thai and British attitudes. Soon, the two opposites fall in love. Meanwhile, Tuptim, who is to become one of the king’s junior wives, and Lun Tha, a Burmese scholar, have a hidden romance.

The production is directed by Dan Walsh of Chicago, with assistant direction by Jonah Parra of Palatine and Olivia Dal Porto of Lake Zurich. Musical direction is by Felicia Filip of La Grange Park.

The cast includes Dan Walsh of Chicago as the King, Lisa Brueck of Montgomery as Anna, Felicia Filip of La Grange Park as Lady Thiang, Lexi Burkley of Lake Zurich as Tuptim, Jonah Parra of Palatine as Lun Tha, Ian Hoffman of Mundelein as the Kralahome and Peter Hoadley of Palatine as Prince Chulalonghorn. Sharing the role of Louie are Dylan DeWitt of Buffalo Grove and Jake Rosenberg of Arlington Heights, and sharing the role of Princess Ying Yaowlak are Sophie Kaegi of Palatine and Jodie Lloyd of Itasca.

The mission of ArtReach Educational Theatre is to expose children to all aspects of theater, music and dance. Any child with a genuine interest in the arts from age 5 through high school are accepted.

Private voice lessons, dance and acting classes, advanced musical theater workshops and summer arts camp programs are offered in Palatine.

For more about ArtReach programs taught by professional actors and teachers, call (847) 372-7798 or visit artreachspotlite.com.

Lexi Burkley of Lake Zurich as Tuptim, Dan Walsh of Chicago as the King and Felicia Filip of La Grange Park as Lady Thiang. photo courtesy of artreach spotlite

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