Page 37 - 1987.Millard.North

The King (Senior Dave Kramer) sings
of his confusion in "A Puzzlement." (S. MEESE )

Crew Recreates Siam

T squer.
he lights went down, the audience fun making up people into something that they
hushes, the music started, the curtailli weren't," commented Sophomore Toni Re-
opened ....
So began the first of four performances
"The King and I" is the s.tory of a barbaric
of "The King and 1." Director Cindy Pace Siamese king who sends for a European school-
said that this musical was chosen "because we teacher. The teacher, played by Seniors Jen-
hadn't done a Rodgers and Hammerstien in a ny Eakins and Kristi larson, refuses to be
long time." She added, "It also had several treated as his J.4 wives and 67 children are-
female roles, and we seemed to have lots of with no respect. The King, played by Seniors
female talent." To give more students a Rob Ford and Dave Kramer, knows little of
chance to perform, the major roles were dou- modern ideals and the conflict arises when
ble cast. Anna, the teacher, tries to "westernize" him.
One hundred and eighty-six people tried The romance in the play is not between
out for the play and 99 were rewarded parts. the King and Anna, but between one of the
In all, J.07 people were involved in the complete King 's mistresses (Becky lord/ Jenny Peter-
production. This included the set crew, who son) and a youth the same age (Jeff Brown/
began working in the summer. Freshman Jas- Doug Ehlers).
on Emry felt that "the throne room was the The audience also felt a love for the play
hardest to do because there was a lot of mea- itself, as was shown by their standing ova-
"We kiss in a shadow ... " singslunTah(Senior suring to do and we had to cut around cur- tions. Sophomore Andy Eilers summed up
Joug Ehlers) to hi s beloved Tuptim (Senior Becky Lord). tains." his feelings by saying, "I thought it was very
(D. LOUDEN) It took a make-up crew of eighteen to spectacular because of the superb acting, ter-
complete the job of making the cast appear rific scenery, and everything went
5eventeen elementary students were re-
:ruited to play the King 's children. Here the children Asian. To learn their skills, the crew had to smoothly." tN
>OW in respect to their father. (D. LOUDEN ) attend three two-hour workshops. "It was Lisa Shulman

33