Thursday, January 30, 2014

The King & I ~ memorable performances and songs

I don't remember if my sister was in Junior High School or High School, but I do remember clearly the performance she gave in the school's production of "The King and I" - she played Anna, the school teacher who arrives in Siam and impacts a society with kindness. As much as Anna teaches though, she also learns.

"It's a very ancient saying
But a true and honest thought
That if you become a teacher
By your pupils you'll be taught

As a teacher I've been learning
You'll forgive me if I boast
And I've now become an expert
On the subject I like most

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely
My cup of tea

Getting to know you
Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you
Getting to hope you like me

Getting to know you
Putting it my way
But nicely
You are precisely

My cup of tea
Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day

Getting to know you
Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you
Getting to know what to say

Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy?
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day"


This song is a wonderful lesson for all of us as we go through life meeting people, building relationships and growing. Every person that comes into my life teaches me and I hope I leave them with something they will value as well.

Another of my favorite songs from The King and I is I Whistle a Happy Tune - this is a song I sing to myself whenever I get into a frightening situation (like driving over a bridge or submitting a new manuscript, ssshh...). Of course I sing it loud and clear and never when others are around, not because I am embarrassed by my nervousness but because NO ONE wants to hear me sing!

"Whenever I feel afraid
I hold my head erect
And whistle a happy tune
So no one will suspect I'm afraid

While shivering in my shoes
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune
And no one ever knows I'm afraid

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well

I whistle a happy tune
And every single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I'm not afraid

Make believe you're brave
And the trick will take you far
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are

You may be as brave
As you make believe you are

While shivering in my shoes
I strike a careless pose
And whistle a happy tune
And no one ever knows I'm afraid

The result of this deception
Is very strange to tell
For when I fool the people
I fear I fool myself as well

I whistle a happy tune
And every single time
The happiness in the tune
Convinces me that I'm not afraid

Make believe you're brave
And the trick will take you far
You may be as brave
As you make believe you are"


I love that show, The King and I, and all of the musical numbers. Years later my husband took me to see it on Broadway when Yul Brynner revived his performance in the early 80s. At the end of the show Mr Brynner came out to take his curtain call and refused to bow until everyone in the audience was standing an applauding. Remaining in character he stared at any stubborn audience members until they felt compelled to stand and cheer - it was a well known trademark of his and it was AWESOME!     
Yul Brynner & Gertrude Lawrence
I've seen several productions of The King and I and my husband and I both agree, there has never been a better King than Yul Brynner.

...but the best Anna I have ever seen is still my sister!

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