Search - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, Yul Brynner :: The King And I (1977 Broadway Cast)

CD by which all other KING AND I discs are measured

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"By the time RCA recorded this album of the 1977 revival of THE KING AND I the show had been playing on Broadway for six months and the cast had settled happily into their roles. The result is a vividly theatrical recordng that, except for the "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet, contains the entire musical score.I would like to correct reviewer Arne Anderson: Brynner was not dying from cancer when this production played. He returned to Broadway with the show again in 1985 just six months before his death and by that time, yes, he voice was showing noticable deterioration. But when this production played the Uris theatre in 1977 and 78 he was in fine voice. True, it is not the youthful voice heard on the original 1951 cast album but with the years come many more layers to the performance. It also helps that several dialogue moments such as the King's soliloquy "So Big a World" are included on this record. The dialogue also plays an important part in the way Thomas Z. Shepard has laid out the record. For example, the famous "Shall We Dance" sequence. On this recording, the whole scene is prsented and suddenly what on other KING AND I cd's is just another great R & H song, is a dramatic highlight. Also, the Cd closes with a recording of the entire final scene. It is incredibly moving.Constance Towers sounds properly mature as Mrs Anna, and all the secondary roles have been thoghtfully cast by wonderful singer/actors. Bear in mind, Richard Rodgers was still alive when this production and recording were made and was at the recording sessions. In fact, it would be the final cast recording of one of his shows he would supervise. This guarantees it is an authenic recording.The package includes good background notes and a fully detailed synopsis of the show.This album was recorded Monday October 31, 1977. On Tuesday November 1, 1977 I attended the performance at the Uris theatre. It was my first Broadway show. So, for me, this album holds extra special memories."

The version to start with

Michael K. Halloran | 10/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Everyone who loves musicals (I feel sorry for people who don't) should have at least one recording of the "King and I" with Yul Brynner. This is the best one available. Not only one of the most complete recordings of the "King and I" (all that's missing is some underscoring and the "Small House of Uncle Thomas"), it also has one of the best casts assembled. Brynner is fine, the lung cancer which killed him in 1985 very much NOT in evidence in this '77 recording. Constance Towers is a terrific Anna, and she most certainly CAN act. Her "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" betters Gertrude Lawrence. Hye-Young Choi is my favorite Lady Thiang, floating her descant in "Western People Funny" better than anyone else. Martin Vidnovic and June Angela are an appealing pair of lovers, and the two boys roles are sung with energy. A treat for lovers of musicals, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and "The King and I.""

An excellent recording of this opulent score.

Boz | 07/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Constance Towers sings brilliantly. Who cares if she can act? Yul Brenner sounds great. I sure didn't notice that he was "gasping for breath". This was HIS role, and nobody could play it better. I have listened to all of the recorded versions, and this is by far the best."