Daniel Dae Kim Headshot - P 2013
Courtesy of APALincoln Center Theater’s Tony-winning revival of The King and I will have a new ruler when Daniel Dae Kim joins the cast for a limited eight-week engagement, starting May 3.
The regal title role in the classic 1951 Rodgers & Hammerstein musical will mark the Broadway debut for Kim, known for his television starring roles on Lost and Hawaii Five-O. However, it won’t be his first time playing the King of Siam. Kim appeared in a critically acclaimed concert production at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2009, starring alongside Maria Friedman.
On Broadway, he will be starring opposite Kelli O’Hara, who won a Tony Award last year for the role of the indomitable schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who butts heads with the king in the show’s East-meets-West clash.
Directed by Bartlett Sher, the revival won four Tonys in all, including best musical revival, featured actress (Ruthie Ann Miles) and costumes (Catherine Zuber). The king is being played through Feb. 28 by Hoon Lee.
Prior to Kim’s arrival, original castmember Ken Watanabe, who received a Tony nomination for his performance as the king, will return to the production for seven weeks only, appearing March 1 through April 17. He will be followed by another returning king, Jose Llana (Here Lies Love), who steps back into the role April 19 through May 1. Kim’s stint wraps up on June 26.
LCT’s The King and I revival has been among the most robust performers of the 2014-15 season, grossing $42 million to date. The production will launch a national tour in November, kicking off in Providence, R.I.
