The King and I is a classic Rogers and Hammestein musical set in Siam in the 19th century. Yul Brynner is the 19th-century Siamese monarch who hires English governess Deborah Kerr to teach his wives and children and winds up getting an education of his own. Features such songs as “Getting to Know You,” “Hello Young Lovers” and “Shall We Dance.” Filmed in 1956, the movie is rich with Deborah Kerr’s beautiful gowns and a subtle sense of humor. It also deals with deep issues including things like keeping promises, the value of life, and many more.

I showed this to my daughter a few weeks ago and she enjoyed it, but thought it moved a bit slow. However, when they started singing and dancing she was enthralled. And there’s something timeless about a romance that is doomed from the start.

Whether you see this in the film or as a play, it’s a wonderful story and piece of America’s theater and cinematic history.