The King and I Review from TimeOFF Thanks to Dan for this information! 'The King and I' By: Stuart Duncan, TimeOFF April 10, 2002 Papermill Playhouse stages this famous Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. It's hard to believe that you could muck up a show as lush and beautiful as The King and I, but Paper Mill Playhouse has tried hard. Most theater historians will tell you the source for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical was Margaret Landon's novel Anna and The King of Siam, which was made into a black-and-white musical starring Rex Harrison and Irene Dunne. In fact, Ms. Landon's book was itself based on The English Governess at the Siamese Court, written in the 1860s by the actual Anna Leonowens herself. And Gertrude Lawrence, who originated the role of Anna on Broadway and brought it to the attention of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, had read the biography, not the novel. At the out-of-town opening in New Haven, Conn., it was realized the show was running too long, so much was trimmed and tightened. At the same time, three songs were added, including one that Miss Lawrence had insisted on — "Getting To Know You," an opportunity for her to sing with the children. It became a genuine showstopper. Incidentally, the tune had earlier been cut from South Pacific. For anyone who saw the original production — with Miss Lawrence paired with Yul Brynner — the memory still lingers (I am one of those lucky ones), but Paper Mill has a pretty fair Anna in Carolee Carmello. She has a gorgeous voice, carries herself like the proper ladies of that era, has a stage warmth that is clearly special and is still able to rage at the King. Sadly, however, Kevin Gray plays the King as if he expected someone to play the ace. He never sets his performance, wandering from an imitation of Brynner at times to an effete young brat at others. Margaret Ann Gates, as Tuptim, and Paolo Montalban as her secret lover, Lun Tha, try hard to pick up the pieces. Their two duets — "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "I Have Dreamed," one of the three tunes added in New Haven — are standouts. Sandia Ang, as Lady Thiang, has a lovely voice but not much sense of her character. You may not remember that it was Miss Lawrence who discovered Brynner at a television studio where he directed some plays. He auditioned for the role by accompanying himself on the guitar and singing gypsy songs. The role of the King made him an overnight star. During the run, Gertrude Lawrence became fatally stricken with cancer. When she went to the hospital, she insisted to the producers that Constance Carpenter take over her role. Later, when the show was turned into a movie, Brynner played the role and co-starred with Deborah Kerr. Her songs were dubbed in. Directed by Mark S. Hoebee, the Paper Mill production rests eventually with the creative technical staff: set designer Michael Anania, lighting designer F. Mitchell Dana and costume designer Roger Kirk. All come through magnificently. But without a King, it's hard to produce a royal flush. The King and I continues at Paper Mill Playhouse, Brookside Drive, Millburn, through May 19. Performances: Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 2:30, 8 p.m.; Sun. 2, 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29-$59. For information, call (973) 376-4343. On the Web: www.papermill.org