It’s a story straight out of “High School Musical.” The VHS production of “The King and I” has turned into one of the hottest tickets in The Villages — thanks to The Sharon, not Zac Efron.
The Villages Charter High School play will be presented April 16-18 at the brand, spanking new Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center. It will be the first event to play at The Sharon.
That’s one reason demand for tickets have been unprecedented for a local high school production. The first floor, center, main section seats are just about sold-out for all three nights, The Villages Online Tickets Web site shows. There are seats in the side sections of the first floor and also in the balcony.
Thus far, the only real publicity the show has had was a story in the Villages-News.com, earlier this week.
Another reason for the popularity of the high school musical is the price. Tickets cost $15-$20.
That’s a far cry from the April 30 opening night gala starring Broadway Hall of Famer Patti LuPone. All seats for that event cost $150. Right now, the high school kids are outselling LuPone by a wide margin, the Online Ticket Web site shows.
Bottom line: for 20 bucks you get to tour the new theater and see the kids sing their hearts out in “The King and I.”
No one quite expected this kind of reaction, least of all the people at Villages Charter High School.
“This is bigger than anyone expected,” said one person associated with the play.
Initially, the plan was to use two of the three nights for rehearsals and understudy performances. Now, because of the large turnout and interest, all three nights will be full performances and start at 6:30 p.m. Originally, the starting time was 7 p.m. but it has been moved up to help with the expected crowds in Spanish Springs Town Square.
Tickets are available at the Villages Lifelong Learning Center;Villages box office locations and online at:
http://www.thevillagesentertainment.com/buy-tickets
Here is the cast listing for VHS production of “The King and I”:
Cat Burns plays Anna; Aidan Smith, the King; Taylor McCullough as Lady Thiang; Diane Burress at Tuptim; Cory Dunning as Lun Tha; Phil Dixon as Kralahome; Jenny Pascarella as Louis and Hailey Mineo as Princess Ying Yaowalack.
“The King and I” was written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. It debuted on Broadway in 1951 and ran almost three years. It tells the story of a British teacher named Anna and her attempts to modernize and civilize the King of Siam and his country. Among the memorable songs: “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers,” “Something Wonderful” and “Shall We Dance.”
Yul Brynner played the role of King on Broadway and in the movie. He won a Tony Award and later an Academy Award for his acting work.