THE KING AND I "QUIZ"
By Dan Miller
March 5, 2007
Now.... a fun quiz.... but first, a personal review.
As the audience filed out of the Looby Theatre following Sunday's matinee performance, I noticed in the crowd a prominent, semi-retired Nashville business and community leader.
He had come -- alone -- to see the Circle Players production of The King and I..
"How'd you like the show?" I asked as he stepped into the lobby.
He answered, "You know, I've seen shows on Broadway in New York City that weren't nearly as good as this!"
Among other conversations I eavesdropped on in the lobby were suggestions that, for the next revival of the show in New York (which will certainly happen), the lead players in this cast would make Broadway proud.
I heard one person make the case that Michael Tajalle -- who's cast as the king -- is stronger in that role than was Yul Brynner.
And it came from a person who'd actually seen Brynner play the king on Broadway.
That may sound blasphemous, but it's a good indication of the strength of the lead players here in Nashville.
Wow!... look at me.... suddenly taking on the role of "theatre critic".
Well, in that role, I should also salute Rachael Bernard who brought Anna to life with a lovely voice and impressive acting skills.
Catherine Birdsong and Tyson Laemmel were right on the money as the lovesick couple Tuptim and Lun Tha.
And worth the price of admission alone is Elsbeth Rounds' stirring performance of "Something Wonderful" in the role of Lady Thiang.
Anyhow, you have only three more chances to see The King and I, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Looby.
Now... for the quiz.
No prizes, it's just for fun.
There are 10 multiple choice questions, and -- just like in school -- you must get 7 correct to pass.
Don't cheat. The answers are at the bottom.
(1.) Which of these songs is NOT from The King and I?
a) Hello Young Lovers
b) I Have Dreamed
c) Someone To Watch Over Me
(2.) The King and I is set in Siam. What is the present day name of Siam?
a) Thailand
b) Burma
c) Sri Lanka
(3.) In the movie version of "The King and I", Deborah Kerr's singing was actually the voice of who?
a) Dinah Shore
b) Doris Day
c) Marni Nixon
(4.) Yul Brynner not only starred in The King and I during the 1950s, but also revivals on Broadway in 1977 and 1985. Over all the years, he played the role of the king in how many performances?
a) 1,789
b) 3,774
c) 4, 525
(5.) Who was cast as the king for the opening performance of The King and I in 1951?
a) Yul Brynner
b) Gene Kelly
c) Marlon Brando
(6.) Who was cast as the king in a 1996 Broadway revival?
a) Robert Downey Jr.
b) Albert Brooks
c) Lou Diamond Phillips
(7.) What natural phenomenon did the king's children not believe in?
a) volcanos
b) snow
c) hurricanes
(8.) Who was originally cast as Anna on Broadway?
a) Pearl Bailey
b) Kate Smith
c) Gertrude Lawrence
(9.) What was the very first musical by Rogers and Hammerstein, which opened in 1943?
a) Oklahoma
b) Carousel
c) South Pacific
(10.) In 1946, a non-musical film was released based on the same story, titled "Anna And the King of Siam", starring....
a) William Powell and June Allyson
b) Bud Abbott and Lou Costello
c) Rex Harrison and Irene Dunn
OK... here are the answers....
(1) c
(2) a
(3) c
(4) c
(5) a
(6) c
(7) b
(8) c
(9) a
(10) c
**(Note: The King and I ended March 10th)
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