The Arts

Photos: North Fork theater presents ‘The King and I’

By Katharine Schroeder

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | 'The King and I' opens at North Fork Community Theatre Thursday.

North Fork Community Theatre will present “The King and I,” Rodgers and Hammerstein’s fifth musical collaboration, which premiered on Broadway March 29, 1951.

The NFCT production opens Thursday, directed by Laura Jones and produced by Marion Stark, with musical direction by Nancy Deegan. “The King and I” is based on Margaret Landon’s 1944 novel “Anna and the King of Siam.” The novel derives from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s, as part of the king’s drive to modernize his country. Anna’s relationship with the king is marked by conflict as well as love that neither is able to express.

“The King and I,” which features Lauren Sisson, Rusty Kransky, Dee Martin, Jessica Raven, James Stevens and a host of children, will run Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. through June 3. Free pre-performance receptions will be held Thursdays only at 7 p.m. All tickets are $20, and are available at 298-NFCT or nfct.com.

MEET THE CAST

Rusty Kransky (The King) — Rusty made his North Fork Community Theatre debut playing the title role in 1999's Sweeny Todd. Says Rusty, "It's good to b the King!"
Lauren Sisson (Anna) | Lauren comes back to the NFCT stage for the first time in 25 years to play a "dream role," complete with hoop skirts. She lives in Mattituck.
Jessica Raven (Tuptim) | This is Jessica's ninth production with the NFCT. She works a full-time day job at North Fork Radiation Oncology.
James Stevens (Lun Tha) | From his first youth show in 1997 to 'Oklahoma' last year, James is always glad to be at the NFCT.
Dee Martin (Lady Thiang) | Dee has been with the NFCT for a number of year, most recently in the musical 'Gypsy.' During the day she is a teacher at Pulaski Street School in Riverhead.

MORE PHOTOS

[nggallery id=362 template=galleryview]

Related Content