Character Descriptions for The King and I:

Anna Leonowens - A young widow who has recently lost her husband. She is in many ways a woman of today – intelligent, poised, strong-willed and cultured. She is confident and business-like, and almost completely undaunted by the regal magnificence of her employer. She is also loving and compassionate and very empathetic. Her flaw is her temperament. Appears 33 to 45 years old. (Mezzo or Soprano – B4-D5) Sings: I Whistle a Happy Tune, Hello, Young Lovers, Getting to Know You, Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?, Song of the King, Shall We Dance? Paid Stipend

The King - He deserves our admiration for his efforts in trying to come to terms with Western ideas and ways of life, but the conflict between Eastern and Western values, combined with his inbred sense of being a Supreme Ruler, ultimately destroys him. He is secure in his power and intelligence, and is a bit egotistic, but he is secretly plagued by self doubt. He also has a keen sense of humor and can be warm at times, especially toward his children. He admirers Anna but cannot give in to her wishes. Because of her, he begins to understand the meaning of love. His flaw is his ego. Appears 40 to 55 years old. (Baritone C3-E4) Sings: A Puzzlement, Song of the King, Shall We Dance? Paid Stipend

Lady Thiang - Wise, composed and understanding, she can see clearly both sides of the King's nature and thus of her country's standing in the world. She is anxious to learn about western ways, but is protective of her King. (Soprano or Mezzo C#4 – G5) appears 30 to 40 years old. Sings: There is a Happy Land, Getting to Know You, Something Wonderful. Paid Stipend

Tuptim - Star-crossed lover of Lun Tha. A gift to the King from the King of Burma. She is pretty and sweet, but when we meet her, very bitter. She longs for Lun Tha. She is willing to risk anything to be with him. Appears 15 to 18. Her flaw is her stubbornness. (Soprano C4-A#6) Sings: My Lord and Master, We Kiss in the Shadow, I Have Dreamed, The Small House of Uncle Thomas. Paid Stipend

Lun Tha/Priest/Slave - Star-crossed lover of Tuptim. He is an emissary from Burma sent to copy the design for a temple. He loves Tuptim and tries to run away with her. His flaw is that he underestimates the king’s power. He appears to be 17 to 22 . (Tenor or high Baritone C3-G4) Sings: I Have Dreamed and We Kiss in the Shadow. Paid Stipend

The Kralahome/Priest - The Prime Minister. A hard and bigoted official who obviously cannot understand why his master is flirting with Western ideas. He has unlimited power and is very domineering. He is very traditional and protective of the King. His flaw is his need to be traditional and his need for power. Appears to be 35 to 55 years old. (Non-singing role). Paid Stipend

Prince Chulalongkorn - The heir to the throne, whose mixture of filial piety and awareness of the need to change are partly a result of Anna's teaching and partly inherited from both his parents. His flaw is that he is very much like his father. Appears to be 11 to 13. (Treble G3-A5) Sings: Getting to Know You, A Puzzlement.

Louis Leonowens - Her young son, between 8 and 10 years old, brought up in the middle class Victorian era. He is sincerely polite and respectful but finds the strange lifestyle at an Eastern Court fascinating. He has a love of adventure and is fiercely fond of his mother. Appears 8-10 years old. (Treble G3-B5) Sings: I Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, A Puzzlement.

Captain Orton/Priest/Slave – middle-aged Englishman, captain of the Chow Phya. (Non-singing role)

Sir Edward Ramsay/ Priest/Slave - Anna's old flame and an important player in the diplomatic game for the friendship of Siam. (Non singing role)

Pra Alack/Interpreter/Priest/Slave – The King’s Secretary (Non-singing role)

Wives of the King: ages 16 to 40 ish. (Sopranos and Altos C4 – E5 [A6])Sing: Getting to Know You.

Children of the King – young Princes and Princessess of the King, aged 5 to 12. (Treble C#4 – E5)Sing: Be it Ever So Humble, Getting to Know You

Royal Dancers – enact Small House of Uncle Thomas. May be doubled as wives or children.

Priests – doubled with other roles. (tenors and basses De-Cbg4 [A5]).