What were your expectations for this event, and how were those expectations

were challenged or confirmed?

To be honest I only expected this production to be like every other

production of this show. Extravagant idealism, with a blanket forced
over my eyes to the issues this play can present. At first this is what I
saw nothing more than a reiteration of imperialist ideas, however I
found myself during the middle of the second act rethinking this
perception. I was a bit confused frankly, the palace was not
extravagant and the costumes were simple and beautiful, but not over
the top. Although the play is long there were many moments in which I
found historical information to coincide with the education I have of
World Theater. There were certain movements and historical
information that held truth in many of the dances and the costumes of
the people. For example the performance of the play based on Uncle
Toms Cabin had many aspects of what I know about Indian theater, or
the theater that would have been part of Siams culture at that time.
The hand motions and dances had a sense of historical baking while all
still being based on an American stage for an American audience.
Something crucial to understanding the way I felt about this production
of The King and I comes from the pamphlet they had outside of the
theater detailing the process of revitalizing this piece. In it there is an
interview with the director, set and costume designer. The director of
the show Bartlett Sher is quoted in saying some very crucial important
things, one moment in which I belie he answers why I felt the show
was so well balanced is when he says You have to be very careful.
Looking at the research, theres a kind of powerful reality to the life in
talking about the research done of the people of Siam.