This performance of “The King & I” is the best presentation that this writer has seen thus far at the Alhambra Theatre& Dinning.  If you like musicals then you’ll want to attend a show that runs until November 28th.  “The King & I” has one of the largest casts in recent Alhambra history.

“The children stole the show”, yet the veteran actors also provided the audience with music, drama, comedy and a great storyline.  The singing is excellent and they’ve learned their lines well.  Costumes and scenery are ‘eye-popping gorgeous’.  If you’ve never been to the Alhambra, read all about it here.

The show features seven “area school kids” as the children of the King.  Two of the children, Zach Goodall and Dale Yolangco were finalists in December’s open casting call for the Alhambra’s production of Disney’s High School Musical.  Goodall, who plays Anna’s son Louis attends Landrum Middle, and Yolangco, playing the Prince, attends Oceanway Middle.  Also in the cast are Malorie Sievert who attends Jacksonville Country Day School, Rachel Delos Santos who attends Providence lower school, Christina Olivia Cuba who attends Lone Star Elementary, and Riana Yolangco who attends New Berlin Elementary, & C. Kyle Cox who is homeschooled.  Although the children are doing some 70 performances they still must keep up with their studies too.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King & I”, opened its Gala Performance on Friday, October 15th.  “The King and I” features Tony Romero in the starring role as the King.  Romero is a Jacksonville native who currently makes his living as an actor in New York City.  Tony is a tight comparison for Yule Brenner in looks also (he shaves his head to get into character for every show).

Fresh off of her performance in Pirates of Penzance with the Jacksonville Symphony, Ponte Vedra’s Kelly Atkins plays the female lead role as Anna.  Ms. Atkins also stole the show in a very cute dialogue about respect to the King.  She sings dances and carries herself as someone destined for Broadway.

Ya Han Chang(Lady Thaing) has great presence whenever she’s onstage, be it with the children or the other actors; she exuberates compassion with everyone.

Romeo & Juliette were no match for Austin Ku (Lun Tha) & Leanne Cabrera (Tuptim).  They sang like two ‘young lovers’.

James Berkley(Kralahome) was honorable as the ‘man servant’ to the King.  The entire cast gets ten stars for a stellar performance.

The food has an ‘Oriental Theme” (King ruled over Siam) and is tasty & interesting (Ms. “V” doesn’t do ‘Tofu’); and the only proper way to eat spare ribs is with your fingers.

Bravo, Brava to the cast & crew of “The King & I”; don’t miss this one.  You’ll regret it if you do.

Alhambra Theatre &Dining will host “The King & I” on Tuesdays thru Sundays with 2 shows on Saturdays & Sundays. “The King & I” will run now thru November 28, 2010.  Get your tickets today.
12000 Beach Blvd.
Jacksonville, Florida 32246
(904) 641-1212

Tickets:
$42.00 for adults and $35.00 for children (Ticket price includes dinner, show and parking).  Considering the cost of the meal, the actors, all the servers and attendants, the backstage crew, advertisement, housekeeping and the executives (promoter, director, producer & sometimes the writer); the cost of the ticket is well worth every penny.  Stay tuned for even more savings to you in 2011.

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