58 GreerNow MARCH 2008

ARTS & EDUCATION

The Greer Children’s Theatre Presents

The King & Iw ritten by SHERIL BE NNET T TURNER

photographed by KRIS DECKER

GreerNow MARCH 2008 59

ARTS & EDUCATION

Get ready to be “courted” on March 7-16, 2008 as the Greer Children’s Theatre opens its 10th anniversary season with the performance of

Rogers and Hammerstein’s Broadway and movie musical hit, The King and I. Based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, it tells the story of English widow Anna Leonowens, who travels to the Royal Palace in Bangkok in 1862 to teach the many children of King Mongkut of Siam. This richly textured and multi-layered tale emphasizes the strong cultural and political differences between East and West as seen through the eyes of the King and Anna, whose eventual personal friendship leads to a greater understanding and respect for their respective values and traditions. With a large local cast that includes children and teenagers as well as adults, this musical spectacle promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience. “The Greer Children’s Theatre is really a community theater,” explains production manager Susan Heiser. “When we held auditions for the play, there were so many people who were really, really good, we decided to give them an opportunity to perform by creating two supporting casts that alternate performance.” The part of the King – immortalized on screen by Yul Brynner – is played by local resident Angelo Almar, originally from Puerto Rico. “I moved to the Greenville area with my family as a child, and was active in local choirs, as well as at the Citadel,” he says. “I recently became involved in local theater because my 7-year-old daughter, who plays the part of one of the little princesses in this production, enjoys acting in plays and she asked me to join her. She’s really the star,” he laughs. Anna is played by Ginger Floyd, an employee of BMW who participated in theater during her college years and coincidently played the part of Anna in high school. “I am single and very close to my family and friends,” she says. “They encouraged me to audition and I thought this was a great opportunity to participate in a show

that is very dear to my heart.” Director Harry Culpepper Jr. graduated from Shenandoah University with a degree in music theater and currently teaches drama at Woodmont Middle School. He is active in community theater, both as a participant and a director, and has produced and directed two original cabarets. “This play is a huge undertaking with elaborate scenery and costumes that are almost characters themselves,” he admits. “But it’s exciting and refreshing to have such a great team of parents

and volunteers from the community involved in the making of the production as well as talented kids and adults who want to explore, learn, and create.” Choreographer, June Horton agrees. “There is so much natural talent in the area and a real want for local theater.” Music Director, Gwen Starling, has the challenge of not only pulling together the singing for the show, but

the orchestra that is required as well. “We’ve tried to keep the children’s production as true to the original production as possible, while giving the cast an opportunity to shine,” she says. Music for the production will include the familiar favorites “Getting to Know You,” “Whistle a Happy Tune,”

and “Shall we Dance.” The Greer Children’s Theatre is sponsored by the Greer Cultural Arts Council, which serves the community by providing affordable, high-quality arts opportunities. Upcoming productions will include Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by children’s author Judy Blume and the musical Scrooge based on the beloved classic, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. d

For more information on shows, classes, auditions, and birthday parties or if you would like to support the

Greer Cultural Arts Council by becoming a family member, call (864) 848-5383 or visit their Web site

at www.greerculturalarts.com.