The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces that open auditions for the classic American musical "The King and I," the next production of the 2008-2009 Anniversary Season, will take place on Monday and Wednesday, October 13 and 15.

With music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, "The King and I" is an incredibly beautiful musicalization of the relationship between the King of Siam and the English widow whom he summons to tutor his many children and to assist in changing his image. While keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions, the noble man and the Western teacher grow to understand and respect one another through a truly unique love story.

In addition to the eight principles, all but one of whom must sing, the show requires a chorus of twenty to twenty-five women and ten to fifteen men. The women will sing in the chorus, some will need to move well, and at least one may be a featured dancer. The men will act a variety of roles and do some singing and possibly some stylized movement. Also needed is a chorus of twenty to forty children who will sing in a couple of large numbers.

An actor’s role requiring some singing and dancing, the King is a larger-than-life barbarian king who commands, demands and expects respect. The role of Anna Leonowens, that of a strong-willed, determined, yet sensitive woman, requires an actress-singer involved in seven numbers. Lun Tha and Tuptim are star-crossed lovers whose relationship brings down the wrath of the King. These are leading characters who together sing two lovely, romantic ballads, while Tuptim is also in a majority of the production numbers. Involved in four songs, one of which is a solo, Lady Thiang is the King’s deep-feeling chief-wife who truly loves her husband. Louis and Chululongkorn, Anna’s son and the King’s prince respectively, are young boys involved in a number of songs. The Kralahome, a non-singing role, is the barbaric prime minister and chief attendant of the King.

Though auditions do imply some competition, the process is made as pleasant as possible. Direction is given along the way and people need not fear that they will in any way be embarrassed. While children need not prepare anything, adults should bring sheet music and be prepared to sing a ballad if interested in Tuptim, Lady Thiang or Lun Tha and a character song if interested in Anna or the King. Songs should be no more than a minute to a minute and a half and should not be from the show. Auditions will also include reading from the script and possibly some movement.

Initial auditions will take place at the Leslie W. Johnson Theatre at Horace Mann Middle School, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, beginning on Monday at 4:00 pm for children seven to twelve years of age, 5:15 for children thirteen to seventeen years of age and 6:30 for adults eighteen and up. Callbacks will be held on Wednesday at 6:30.

Scripts are available for a forty-eight hour loan at the Theatre Company’s office in the Community Recreation Department but require a deposit of $25. They may be picked up Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and must be returned by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13.

“The King and I” will run from December 5^th to the 13th, with rehearsals beginning Monday, October 20. Over a seven-week period there will be approximately 34 rehearsals, the majority of which will be Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. There will be two weekend rehearsals on the afternoons of November 22 and 23.

For further information contact Ralph Maffongelli at 459-3779.