'The King & I' Brings Musical Pageantry to FCT Stage 

By Dixie Walters

Fauquier Community Theatre will end its regular season in royal style with the staging of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, "The King and I."

The Tony Award-winning musical is a unique love story that defies the usual formulas. It revolves around a headstrong English governess who becomes a tutor to the royal children and numerous wives of the equally strong-willed and rather misogynistic King of Siam. Although he's in favor of bringing a Western perspective to his kingdom - or so he thinks - the king (played by Dan Purcell) and Anna (played by Chantal Campbell) clash when their respective cultures and values bump up against each other. The friction ultimately leads to a simmering chemistry between the two as the exotic and heartwarming story ensues.

"Anna is not afraid to push her agenda, and that was unusual for the time," says Susan Noé, the play's director. "Her character is also a single, widowed woman who has to support herself and her child, which was also highly unusual."

Pomp and Circumstance

As director, Noé oversees a cast of approximately 40 actors and dancers ranging in age from 5 to 60. The play is interspersed with musical and dance numbers, including "some that are very specific to Siamese dance, which we want to honor," says Noé, who credits the efforts of musical director Larke Pain and choreographer Sandy Steinmeyer.

Also noteworthy is the elaborate costuming required to make the court of King Mongkut come to life. Noé, who is adept with a sewing machine, also took on costuming duties, along with several assistants. She has served as costumer for numerous FCT productions, including "A Christmas Carol," which she also directed, "The Music Man," and "Into the Woods," which she also produced. Still, she says that the exotic and ornate costuming needed is a challenge on a community theater budget.

Another challenge is fitting the large cast on the relatively small FCT stage, along with several live musicians. Cast members have also worked hard to assimilate the mannerisms and speech patterns of the play's cultural environment.

Noé is hoping all the pomp and circumstance will pay off in mesmerized audiences. "We're hoping the audience feels as if they've traveled to a foreign country and are in the middle of the court of King Mongkut," says Noé. "We just want to surround them with pageantry, music and dancing that's different than what they're used to seeing."

The play, which is suitable for all ages, will be presented May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 and 19. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. An adult ticket is $17; senior citizen and student tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased online at FCTstage.org. A combined ticket of $38 for seniors and students and $40 for adults to see the show and enjoy dinner at The Inn at Vint Hill is available for the May 19 performance.