Last modified: Monday, January 28, 2008 9:21 AM CST

McDonell students get ready to debut musical

By The Chippewa Herald - McDonell Central High School students will present “The King and I,” a musical by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II on Feb. 1-3. The script is based on the book “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon.

The plot comes from the story written by Anna Leonowens, who became school teacher to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. The King very much wishes to absorb western knowledge, but is sometimes conflicted over how to reconcile western ways with his own. His efforts to do this, unadmitted even by himself, are further hindered by his minister, who wishes to keep Western influence out of the court.

Leonowens’ story was autobiographical except that its objective accuracy is questionable. In Thailand, the possession of anything related to “Anna and the King of Siam” or “The King and I” is illegal, because of what the Thai government says are historical inaccuracies about the King of Siam.

The musical opened on Broadway in 1951 and was the fourth hit out of five collaborations for the team of Rogers and Hammerstein. It ran for 1,246 performances, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical, among other awards. It spawned numerous revivals and a popular 1956 film version.

Cast and crew

Directors

Drama director: Sue Decker; vocal director: Andrea Howell; orchestra director: Sean Hanson; scenic/technical director: Carol Way; lighting and sound: Skip August and Nick Krajewski; choreography: Jake Christopher; costumes: Rose August and committee members.

‘Anna and the King’ cast

Anna: Grace Kennedy; King: Mike Misfeldt; Lady Thiang: Maria Wild; Tuptim: Jana Swanson; Lun Tha: Luke Heidtke; Louis: Jerry Anders; Prince Chululonghorn: Frankie Rineck; Kralahome: Jason Bischel; Captain Orton: Sawyer Berg; Sir Edward: Todd Jacobson; Phra Alack, the Interpreter: Kyle Dalton; Royal wives: Sidney Liddell, Anne Longbella, Rachel Krumenauer, Miranda Berge, Sarah Kinnick, Nastacia Meinen, Chelsea Zwiefelhofer, Nicolle Mendalski, April Sloan, Angie Reiter, Jennah Burggraf, Mary Polus, Laura Dachel, Sara Rykal, Bev Wild; Royal dancers: Sidney Liddell, Anne Longbella, Miranda Berge, Mary Polus, Laura Dachel; Royal princesses: Rillie Zwiefelhofer-Franck, Brittany Buhrow, Tatiana Broses, Bekah Heidtke, Allison Schwetz, Sammy Sarauer, Victoria Broses, Hannah Duex, Molly Schwandt, Taya Kramer; Royal princes: Kris Krall, Gordy Schafer, Josh Leibrandt, Nathan Ash.

Pantomine/ballet cast

Eliza: Ann Kuehl; Topsy: Shelly Sarauer; Uncle Thomas: Laura Dachel; Eva: Maggie Meinen; Simon Legree: Jennah Burggraf; Soldiers: Mary Polus, Ann Longbella, Kelsey Pruitt, Christi Bohl; Slaves: Anna Roque, Kathryn Wenaas, Bailey Eckert, Olivia Kressin; Scientific dogs: Kendra Miller, Sidney Lidell, Kristen Globensky; Angel: Miranda Berge; Little angels: Laura Schwandt and Meredith Pomietlo; Property crew: Sarah Kinnick, Angie Reiter, Rachel Krumenauer, Sara Rykal, Jason Bischel, Luke Heidke.

Stage crew

Stage manager: Jeremy Burggraf; assistant stage manager: Elizabeth Meinen; grips and carpenters: Dan Berg, Justin Bischel, Kyle Greenseth, Alex Broses, John Ridder; grips and artists: Hannah Sonderegger, Erica Humbert, Alexia MacNicol, Danielle Geissler, Cassie Nelson, Sarah Swoboda; lighting: Chad Dachel and Shawn Willi; follow spot: Allison Greenseth and Rachel Krejchi; sound and computer tech: Bradford Brennan and David Plendl.

Acknowledgments

Tickets: Laurie Zukaitis, Joan Sommerfeld; programs: Andrea Howell; publicity and props: Carol Way; auditorium prep: Gene Folczyk, Sue Rineck; carpentry assistance: Peter Meinen, Dan Burggraf, Ric Greenseth, Fred Bischel.

Costume committee

Julie Clark, Rachel Krumenauer, Brenda Meinen, Therese Misfeldt, Peggy Nehring, Maxine Reinhardt, Kelly Sarauer, April Sloan.

Pit

A complete list of pit members was not available at press time.

See more photos

Click here to view or purchase this and other exclusive photographs taken by The Chippewa Herald at the event.

See video

Click here to view the video of McDonell High School students practicing the musical, “The King and I” on Thursday, Jan. 24.

See the play

McDonell High School students present, “The King and I,” 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1 and Saturday, Feb. 2, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 3 at the school. Tickets are $8/adults, $6/youth. Info: 723-9126.