‘King and I’ runs Saturday

Stubborn King Mongkut of Siam meets his match in 19th Century Bangkok in the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s adaptation of “The King and I.”

The bantering begins when the bossy King of Siam (now Thailand) invites outspoken English schoolteacher Anna Leonowens (Justine Hauge) to his Royal Palace to educate his massive flock of children.

But when one of his children questions Anna’s explanation of snow, the King will not hear of it.

“Never let me hear not believing school teacher, who I bring here at great expense (for) 20 pounds each month,” snapped the king (Michael Bertone) in a choppy dialect. “Children must learn. Teacher must teach. Not waste time instructing children in silly English song … et cetera. Et cetera.”

The Windmore Foundation for the Arts Summer Youth Theater group will perform the 75-minute musical Saturday at 2 and 6:30 p.m. at Eastern View High School. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for children.

The cast — dressed in traditional, colorful Thai-inspired costumes — practiced the performance during Wednesday’s dress rehearsal.

Directors Jeff and Doray Walker lead a group of 80 plus young performers ages 7 and up.

During the king’s brief interruption of the lesson, Anna asks him about the brick dream home he promised to build her and threatens to leave.

“I can not stay in a land where a promise has no meaning,” said Anna.

After the spat, Lady Thiang (Hillary Ratliff), the king head wife, realizes that Anna could help the king in many ways.

“No one has ever spoken to him as you did today in the school room,” said Lady Thiang.

In fact, Lady Thiang suggests that Anna meet with the king in an effort to improve his image with the British Parliament.

“They describe king as barbarian,” said Lady Thiang, explaining that the British want to take over his palace. “He can be great man but he need special help Mrs. Anna. He need you.”

Reluctantly sharing his situation with Anna, the king tells her of British Diplomat Sir Edward Ramsay’s (Jared Elton) upcoming visit to observe the Royal Palace in Siam.

“If someone were telling a lie about me, I would try my hardest to let them know the truth,” she suggested. “When Sir Edward arrives, you must entertain him in an especially grand manner. Then, he’ll return to England and report to Queen Victoria that you are not a barbarian.”

And that’s exactly what he does.

The king orders his servants to cook a fancy European meal and decides to host a ball to impress the diplomat. The royal dancers, who performed a play, chose “The Small House of Uncle Thomas,” where a slave escapes the king.

“He shall see that I’m not a barbarian,” said the king.

The plan works and Sir Edward Ramsay praises the show and the king for showing him a wonderful time.

“The evening was a great success for your majesty,” said Ramsay. “I enjoyed the play immensely.”