The King and I was one of the most popular musicals of its time and to this day is played in various theaters around the world by schools and local companies. It is a timeless piece that offers a look into a different culture ruled by a dictator seen through the eyes of a democratic country. Created after WWII, it gave the United States hope of international peace and love across cultural lines. The musical illustrated the social life and customs of Thailand through music, and ornate costumes. This popular musical brought a foreign land to the United States and romanticized it. The novel Anna and the King of Siam was written by Margaret Landon and later turned into the musical The King and I. Walter Lang directed it. The novel was adapted into a musical by the famous pair Rogers and Hammerstein, who quickly agreed to the project. Composer Richard Rodgers (1902-1979) and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein ll (1895-1960) made a hit out of the novel and it is still a popular musical.

It is about Mrs. Anna Leonowens, a widow from Wales, who arrives in Bangkok with her young son to teach English to the children of the royal household. She threatened to leave when the king breaks a promise. He ends up keeping his promise and also absorbed some of western knowledge. Towards the end Anna thinks about leaving when her presence there is no longer needed. Just before she leaves she finds out that the king is ill and she decides to stay and help his young son, her favorite pupil, to rule his people.

The musical starred Yul Brenner, a virtually unknown actor, and Gertrude Lawrence, a famous actress making her return to musicals. Yul Brenner solidified his career with this role. The movie starred Yul Brunner and Deborah Kerr. Gertrude Lawrence had passed away by time the movie was created. The musical opened at the St. James Theatre on March 29, 1951 and stayed there for a total of 1,246 performances.