There’s a circle of family ties in the cast — moms and daughters, fathers and sons, a married couple, even a set of twins — in the new local production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” opening Friday at Paliku Theatre at Windward Community College.
The evergreen musical was a favorite of local theater director and educator Ron Bright, who died in 2015, for the simple reason that it requires a lot of kids to play the offspring of the King of Siam. Plus wives. Oh, how he must be beaming with pride.
“Every production my dad did involved some form of family ties — whether it be his own, or other families — and ‘The King and I’ continues that tradition,” said Clarke Bright, musical conductor, whose musician wife, Lynell, also will be in the pit.
Bright ohana in the show includes daughter Jodi Bright Stein and her daughter Mia, along with second son Michael Bright’s two boys, Drew and Colton.
Director Mary Hicks also has two kids on stage, Michael and Lainey, the former portraying Prince Chulalongkorn, the oldest of the king’s many children.
Dr. Ligaya Stice, who is president of I’m A Bright Kid Foundation, which is producing the musical, returns to the stage with sister Paraluman Stice Dirkin, who is joined by her son Aidan.
More parent-child teams abound: Chris Slaves, a former student, has son Connor involved; veteran performer Annie Yoshida brings daughter Maya for the ride. And 5-year-old twins Cade and Colton Hara appear as the King’s twins.
Vanessa Benavente (Lady Thiang, the king’s principal wife) and husband George Benavente (Lun Tha, the star-crossed love interest) have daughter Aubrey in tow.
The Benaventes did “Les Miserables” together at Diamond Head Theatre in 2008, before Aubrey was born. Said Vanessa of “The King and I”: “I thought this would be a wonderful first show for Aubrey, who loves musicals. She’d have the chance to work with such positive, encouraging directors.”
Mom and daughter auditioned and came home to tell dad about it. He wanted in, too, and made the cut.
“The most powerful part of my dad’s shows was the life, love, laughter and learning he exampled,” said Clarke Bright. “He has his hands on this one, too. It’s as if he is directing through all of us. We wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Mo Bright, widow of Ron, continues to be the backbone of support. “I love this cast and I love Mary Hicks; she is the right choice to direct,” said Mo, who attends all rehearsals as she’s done for decades. “She is so much like Ron in personality, love and heart.”
“The King and I” runs through Oct. 1. For tickets and info, call 235-4235.
SHOW BREEZES
Sunset Jazz, at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at La Pietra’s Great Lawn, has signed on more troupers. Joining vocalists Shari Lynn and Danny Couch: jazz singers Ginai and Renee Ebalaroza, along with tenor Charles Mukaida, first recipient of the Jimmy Borges jazz vocal scholarship at the University of Hawaii. …
Filipino superstar Martin Nievera’s two concerts are sold out Monday at Blue Note Hawaii, but a 7:30 p.m. Tuesday show has been added. …
HOW FAR SHE’LL GO
Though it’s pegged as a spring vehicle for NBC, Auli‘i Cravalho’s series “Rise” has tagged Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”) to play Lou Mazzuchelli, based on the inspirational real-life drama coach named Lou Volpe. Initial filming will begin at Harry S. Truman School at Levittown, Pa. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran Honolulu entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or email wayneharada@gmail.com.
