The King and I to run Aug 15-18
(Rockwall) July 22, 2013 – Keeli James has been rehearsing for the role of the English-born schoolteacher, Anna, in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I since she was six years old. That’s when she began to tinker with the British dialect required for the lead role, “Anna.”
Playing opposite August Gabriel as “The King” in the Rockwall Summer Musicals’ August 15 – 18 production, they make a dream couple together, and lively antagonists, in the rich performance of the timeless show.
“It’s easy to get in character because I am indeed a school teacher,” said King and Ilead Keeli James. “It’s RISD elementary school music class by day, RSM musical rehearsals at night and private voice lessons in the middle; it’s my training and I was born to play Anna!”James and Gabriel sing, dance, fight and romance from a distance through the storybook tale of a governess to the children of the King of Siam. The show is based on the memoirs of Anna Leonowens who was hired by the King to modernize his country. The relationship between the King and Anna is marked by conflict and a love that neither can admit.
“We have developed great chemistry in our rehearsals which brings that passion alive,” said Gabriel. “I’ve always wanted to play this role, I’m growing very comfortable being referred to as King and hoping that my friends won’t mind using the term.”
A talented and vocally powerful, 60-person cast, 30-person crew and 28-piece orchestra support the lead performers. Director Barbara Doudt is assisted by Patrick Persons, who is also Producer. Alan Clark serves as Vocal Director as well as conducting the orchestra and Suzanne Toler is choreographer.
TICKETS
All RSM shows perform at the group’s home venue, the Rockwall High School Performing Arts Center at Utley, 1201 TL Townsend. Tickets for the Rodgers and Hammerstein show are available online or by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS (718-4253). For discounted group sales (10 plus), call RSM at 972-771-3700 or visit RockwallSummerMusicals.org for more details.
ABOUT ROCKWALL SUMMER MUSICALS
Rockwall Summer Musicals is a theatre company formed for the purpose of producing plays and conducting intergenerational theatrical workshops from May through August each year. The unique RSM “mentoring” instructional approach, pairing students with working artisans in the community, provides an educational experience that cannot be reproduced in the classroom. In light of shrinking funding for the arts, these efforts help subsidize the educational needs of area students interested in theatre arts.
During each school year, RSM prepares for the next summer season, including fundraising, reading and selecting plays, marketing, and seeking additional instructional opportunities. RSM’s productions are funded by business, corporate, and individual donations, ticket sales, and paid memberships. Net revenues are used for overhead expenses, as seed money for future productions and to enhance the theatre arts education of students of all ages.
Rockwall Summer Musicals is a 503(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2010 to entertain, educate, and enrich the cultural life of Rockwall and the surrounding communities.
Submitted by Roberta Pavlov.
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