THE KING AND I
SRT's new production of The King and I not to be missed
“The third show of the 'Season of Transformation' at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth is The King and I, and it is sure to please.”
“The SRT production of The King and I is both shimmering and haunting. Gary John La Rosa's choreography is simply delightful in its precision and in its attitude. The actors, particularly the leads, daringly explore the humor and sentiment of a situation that is less than politically correct and transform each other in the process. The result is while audiences enter the theatre humming the tunes, they leave discussing the show. This production does more than entertain: it enlightens.”
“Two dance sequences deserve special mention. As a moment of harmony between two worlds, 'Shall We Dance?' Is a showstopper. Secondly, The 'Small House of Uncle Thomas' Ballet brings focus to a central theme of the show and is beautifully imagined and executed.”
“More particularly, this production succeeds because its actors have a good time with the material and the characters and clearly respect one another. Children and adults interact wonderfully. Actors without lines are as invested in the project as the stars, creating a community in the best sense. SRT's production of The King and I is irresistible. Don't miss it. It will entertain the entire family.”
The King and I is Incredible Even Without Yul
“It is grand, superbly performed, incredibly staged, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. It is The King and I at Seacoast Repertory Theater through January 10. The play is wonderful. The play within the play, even more stunning. Just everything is right about this production.”
The show within the show, a version of Uncle Tom's Cabin, written by Tuptim…is exceptional theater.”
“Gary John La Rosa, who is directing with the Rep for the first time, just lets loose with this piece. Wonderful throughout, he tops himself with this segment.”
Seacoast Repertory's latest is fit for a king
“Gary John La Rosa has come up with the goods in the dual role of director/choreographer. Let's hope to see him back in the near future.”
“There have been some very fine shows around the Seacoast lately. Hardly a dud to be found. But this is one of the very slickest you'll get for your money.”
The King and I is fit for royalty
“Seacoast Repertory Company, traditionally a master at adapting large-scale productions to its intimate performing space, has done it again with The King and I, currently on view. Solidly directed and choreographed by Gary John La Rosa, this venerable Rogers and Hammerstein show seems fresh and lively.”
“…But the unquestionable highlight of the production is 'The Small House of Uncle Thomas' ballet which features Kellie Fisher Cardin and is a masterpiece of imaginative staging. Fans of the movie or larger-scale staged versions will find nothing missing, and the nearness of the dancers to the audience makes it absolutely thrilling.”
King and I Sparkles With Musical Fireworks
“This past Tuesday, Beach Haven celebrated Independence Day with not one, but two breathtaking displays of magnificence and splendor. You may have guessed the fireworks over the bay as the first. The second was indoors at the opening night of the Surflight production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I. There is some bad news and some good news, however: The bad news is you have to wait until next Fourth of July to catch the fireworks in the Queen City. The good news is you can take in the majesty of The King and I any – or every – night through July 16.”
“Gary John La Rosa directs this work in a manner befitting such a popular and well-known musical. La Rosa must also be recognized for his choreography of the piece, which masterfully blends the influence of Far Eastern dance with that of Western ballet. The musical number, The Small House of Uncle Thomas is a feast of story-telling, movement, color and surprise.”
A Killer King and I
“If Siskel and Ebert were to have reviewed the Surflight Theatre's current production of The King and I, the duo wouldn't have enough thumbs to point skyward in praise of this incredibly ambitious and satisfying performance.”
“…Simple yet dazzlingly complex in execution, design and choreography, the number alone would be worth the price of admission.”
“That the play, which offers so much love, tragedy, humor, a cast of more than 50, a secondary play, not to mention a breathtakingly beautiful score, has been mounted so spectacularly is, well…is 'A Puzzlement'.”
“...the end result was ordained to be a spectacular smash hit.”
I love this, it's perfect, now go see this one!
“The production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, now on stage at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre is pure fun, guaranteed to have audience members tapping their toes and chuckling throughout. At the end of the opening night performance, people in the audience couldn't get to their feet fast enough.”
“This is the kind of production that makes you want to get immediately back in line to buy a ticket for a second viewing.”
“Gary John La Rosa, this production's director, makes wonderfully varied use of the space and limited scenery. His take varies from tongue-in-cheek satire to outright physical comedy to simple, eloquent sung conversation, and it all works.”
No Mixed Signals Here, Seacoast Rep's Latest is A Winner
“Got it? Well if not you might just want to mosey on down to the Seacoast repertory Theatre to catch a production of I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and find out what everyone is talking and laughing about.”
“As for the work of director Gary John La Rosa – perfect. The staging of this piece goes a long way in making it better than good. La Rosa shows real skill in balancing his canvas, and a real knack for timing, a rather important element in this number.”
"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is still playing in New York City to sell-out crowds. You can save yourself both time and money by catching a flawless performance right here in the Port City. No reason to go elsewhere. Seacoast Rep has delivered the goods.”
Perfect/Change Makes Perfect Sense About Highs and Lows of Love
“I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change has been a hot ticket in New York since its off-Broadway premiere five years ago - and now that producing rights to the show have become available, theaters all over New England have been staging it. One of them, the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, is having such success with Perfect/Change that it has just added a few performances to its schedule.”
“A quick trip to the Seacoast Rep reveals the reasons for all the fuss. Perfect/Change is the kind of show critics dream of seeing: it contains not one boring moment, one weak performance or single structural flaw. At last, the chance to write an honest rave!”
“Director Gary John La Rosa has directed Perfect/Change before and it shows in the show's smooth, amusing choreography on display in this production. Sometimes not even a critic can be critical. Buy your tickets now!”
“High marks are due director/choreographer Gary John La Rosa…”
“Choreography is perfection, from royal entertainment to the King sweeping Anna around the palace library to the comical/heartbreaking play-within-a-play, 'The Small House of Uncle Thomas' which is alone worth the price of admission.”
“…MOC has spared nothing to do justice to this musical masterpiece. Only a packed audience could be payment in kind.”
Enjoyable ‘King and I’ produces two especially noteworthy scenes
“Sometimes in the course of a pleasurable evening in a darkened theatre, a single scene stands out from the rest. At Friday's opening night of the Musical Theatre Southwest production of The King and I, there were actually two that were worthy of special commendation. One was Act II, Scene 3. It was the dramatic – hypnotic, really – and highly professional performance of the mini ballet 'The Small House of Uncle Thomas.' The ballet ensemble – the costumed singers, musicians, narrator in two high lighting lofts and the masked dancers on stage – executed the ballet so well that they transformed it into a scene remembered long after Popejoy Hall emptied.”
“The other memorable scene is the tearful finale, in which Anna…returns to the palace for a final rapprochement with the dying king.”
“…lustrous sets, shimmering costumes, effective lighting and Joel Gelpe's flawless pit orchestra enhanced the show.”
ANNA AND THE KING
“For some rip-roaring holiday entertainment, you need look no further.”
Ambitious and Handsome "King and I"
“…all in all a delightful theatrical experience.”
“…quite pleasing and well directed.”
“A kudos to Gary John La Rosa for direction and choreography. The ‘Small House of Uncle Thomas’ ballet was well done and inventive.”