Theater News

Ken Watanabe Returns to Broadway's The King and I

Watanabe will re-create his Tony nominated performance, with Daniel Dae Kim to assuming the throne this spring.

Ken Watanabe will return to Broadway's The King and I for seven weeks, and will be succeeded by Daniel Dae Kim.
Ken Watanabe will return to Broadway's The King and I for seven weeks; Daniel Dae Kim will assume the throne after him.
(© David Gordon)

Ken Watanabe, who originated the role of the King of Siam in Bartlett Sher's Lincoln Center Theater revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, will return to the production for a seven-week run beginning March 1. Hoon Lee, who currently plays the role, will end his run February 28.

Watanabe received a Tony nomination for his performance when the show opened at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. He first left the production on July 12 and was succeeded by Jose Llana, who will also return to the show for a two-week stint beginning April 19.

Beginning May 3, Daniel Dae Kim, best known for his performances on TV's Lost and Hawaii Five-0, will take up the throne for an eight-week engagement. He will be making his Broadway debut.

Directed by Bartlett Sher, The King and I also stars Kelli O'Hara in her 2015 Tony Award-winning performance as Anna Leonowens. She is joined in a 48-member company by fellow 2015 Tony winner Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang, Ashley Park as Tuptim, Conrad Ricamora as Lun Tha, Edward Baker-Duly as Sir Edward Ramsey, Jon Viktor Corpuz as Prince Chulalongkorn, Murphy Guyer as Captain Orton, Paul Nakauchi as Kralahome, and Marc Oka as Phra Alack.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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