LATEST NEWS

Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI

Jshan05 Profile Photo
Jshan05
#1Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:39am

This is exciting! I have seen the production with both Ken and Jose and I must say that Ken remains my favorite. While his diction was at times a little rough, he brought a fierceness to the role that I loved! 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/KenWatanabe-Will-Return-to-THE-KING-AND-I-This-March-LOSTs-Daniel-Dae-Kim-to-Take-Over-in-May-20160120

Scarywarhol Profile Photo
Scarywarhol
#2Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:55am

I needed this great news today!

Patash Profile Photo
Patash
#3Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:02pm

"While his diction was at times a little rough. . ."

 

Is that what you call 'not being able to understand 2/3 of what he said and sang'?   Just asking. . .

oncemorewithfeeling2 Profile Photo
oncemorewithfeeling2
#4Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:05pm

This is great news. I'm now really curious about seeing Daniel Dae Kim as well.

Jshan05 Profile Photo
Jshan05
#5Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:08pm

Patash said: ""While his diction was at times a little rough. . ."

Is that what you call 'not being able to understand 2/3 of what he said and sang'?   Just asking. . ."

Well not exactly, though I do admit it was definitely hard to hear him at times. I saw him towards the end of his run, which may have been why it was a little easier for me. Also, my seat was pretty close to the stage so that may have affected my ability to understand him! 

 

 Musical Master Profile Photo
Musical Master
#6Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:16pm

As much as I really admired Hoon Lee in the role, I'm very excited that Ken Watanabe will return to the role that earned him that Tony nomination and I'm surprised and joyful that Daniel Dae Kim will play the King of Siam a role which I think he'll do magnificently.

Call_me_jorge Profile Photo
Call_me_jorge
#7Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:20pm

From what the article said it sounds like Kelli has also extended.

Jshan05 Profile Photo
Jshan05
#8Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:24pm

Call_me_jorge said: "From what the article said it sounds like Kelli has also extended."

I agree. I don't think it's been announced that she extended (if somebody does know for sure, please post the link!) but this article absolutely makes it sound like she did!

jawjuhh
#9Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:48pm

Hm, I really wanted to see this again for Hoon Lee... but now I also really want to see Ken Watanabe and Daniel Dae Kim!  Is Hoon Lee truly as can't-miss as the new Times review makes it seem?  My poor student budget can only afford so much

haterobics Profile Photo
haterobics
#10Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:54pm

I'm in no position to rank the Kings, having only been to the show with Hoon in the role, but he was incredible to me, really funny with just the right amount of confidence and sex appeal. If I don't see this production again, I won't feel like I missed out by any means. He was everything I needed.

Dave13 Profile Photo
Dave13
#11Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 12:54pm

Dammit. I was planning a trip to NYC in July, now I have to figure out how to get there sooner. 


Not to be confused with Dave19.
Updated On: 1/20/16 at 12:54 PM

Mr. Musical Profile Photo
Mr. Musical
#12Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:13pm

"Ken Watanabe, who created the role of the King of Siam in the LCT production, will return to once again star opposite Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara as Anna Leonowens."

This almost makes it sound like he will be the only one of these Kings to perform opposite Kelli

n2nbaby Profile Photo
n2nbaby
#13Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:14pm

Does anyone know if there is still a plan to film the show with Ken or was that just a rumor?

Jordan Catalano Profile Photo
Jordan Catalano
#14Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:22pm

I was just about to say that this might be for the Live From Lincoln Center broadcast. 

neonlightsxo
#15Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:25pm

If they're going to film it for Live from Lincoln Center, they should use a King that most of America will be able to understand.

Scarywarhol Profile Photo
Scarywarhol
#16Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:33pm

Anyone too lazy for Ken Watanabe can turn on the closed captioning. 

goldenboy Profile Photo
goldenboy
#17Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:42pm

I don't know why this excites people    I do not know why he was nominated for a Tony. I could not understand  very much of what he said and frankly the man's lack of English Diction ruined King and I for me.

Scarywarhol Profile Photo
Scarywarhol
#18Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 1:54pm

I understood nearly everything he said and the intention was clear for the words I missed.

Mr Roxy Profile Photo
Mr Roxy
#19Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 2:00pm

Glad we saw Lee in it.


Poster Emeritus

neonlightsxo
#20Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 2:21pm

Scarywarhol said: "I understood nearly everything he said and the intention was clear for the words I missed."

 

OK. It wasn't clear to me, even though I was very familiar with the show beforehand.

 

OlBlueEyes Profile Photo
OlBlueEyes
#21Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/20/16 at 11:36pm

Some people had no trouble understanding Watanabe from the first preview, while others had big-time trouble after he had been in the role for two months.

 

It's a mystery. Oops, I mean it's a puzzlement. Thanks, scary. 

 

The New York City Center has Kelli O'Hara booked for April 28th and 29th, Friday and Saturday.

 

Don’t miss Tony Award winners Kelli O’Hara and Victoria Clark in a semi-staged version of Henry Purcell’s tempestuous Baroque opera Dido and Aeneas, featuring the singers of MasterVoicesOrchestra of St. Luke’s, and Doug Varone and Dancers.

 

This doesn't necessarily mean that she will have left King and I by then. Ted Sperling, the original conductor for South Pacific and TK&I will be conducting Dido and Aeneas, so it could just be a two night junket. 

 

On the other hand, Watanabe is leaving the show for the second and last time on April 17th, so that might be a good exit for Kelli. But they would have to make the announcement pretty soon so ticket buyers will know.

Updated On: 1/22/16 at 11:36 PM

Scarywarhol Profile Photo
Scarywarhol
#22Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/21/16 at 12:38am

Is it a mystery...or is. A. Puzzlement?

OlBlueEyes Profile Photo
OlBlueEyes
#23Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/21/16 at 8:37am

Puzzlement is a great word. We should use it more often.

little_sally Profile Photo
little_sally
#24Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/21/16 at 9:02am

Great news. I loved Watanabe in the role, and I'm a big fan of Daniel Dae Kim. Might have to revisit the show for him.


A little swash, a bit of buckle - you'll love it more than bread.

Patash Profile Photo
Patash
#25Ken Watanabe returning to TKAI
Posted: 1/21/16 at 9:28am

"Anyone too lazy for Ken Watanabe can turn on the closed captioning. "

 

Wow.  There's a novel idea.   The actor was unable to be understood, so anyone who didn't use closed captioning was the "lazy" one.  It's being lazy to go to the theatre and expecting to keep your eyes and ears on the actors as they convey the story?