Islander Arts

By Frank Wagner

Islander staff writer

Another one of J.T. Smith's illustrious Old Schoolhouse Theater performers Paolo Montalban recently made his Broadway debut in the critically acclaimed revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I at the Neil Simon Theater, West 52nd Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue. Montalban is appearing in the ensemble and understudies the supporting lead Lun Tha.

Paolo performed with J.T. Smith's Encore Productions at the Old Schoolhouse theater during the 1994-95 season. He was a featured performer in The 20th Century Songbook and an ensemble member in Cole Porter's Anything Goes.

Paolo is the second alumnus of the Old Schoolhouse Theater to perform in a hit show on the Great White Way in the past couple of years. Roger Seyer, who starred here as Charlie Brown in You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, played a leading role in Anything Goes and appeared in several of J.T.'s hit revues, has been appearing in the Broadway smash hit Miss Saigon for the past year and a half and has been understudying several of the leading roles.