Known as the first lady of the Philippine musical theater, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo will be new Anna in Resorts Wold Manila’s presentation of The King and I beginning January of next year until May. Menchu will be replacing Monique Wilson who played Anna during the opening of The King and I last September 15, 2012 until the end of this year. Joining Menchu in the extension of King and I until May 2013 is Nonie Buencamino, also a theater veteran who will be playing the role of King Mongkut of Siam which was previously played by Leo Tavarro Valdez.
The King and I is a musical created by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II that was based from the 1944 novel entitled Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon and based from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, who became governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the 1860s.
For Menchu, doing this musical is not new to her after playing the role of Tuptim, one of the characters in the King and I and she was also considered as an understudy for the role of Anna during the 90’s production of this musical. According to her The King and I is one of the most beautiful musicals of the old ones, all the songs are beautiful. And, I’m at the right age now for Anna.
Aside from playing the role of Anna and Tuptim in The King and I, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo already did some greatest female characters in musicals including Eva Peron in “Evita”, Genevieve in “The Baker’s Wife”, Aldonza/Dulcinea in “Man of La Mancha”, Guinevere in “Camelot”, Fantine in “Les Miserables”, Fosca in “Passion”, and the Witch in “Into the Woods”. She also played one of the Von Trapp children where she worked with Wilson and Lea Salonga.
Up to date Resorts World Manila’s presentation of The King and I garnered 3 Aliw Awards including Best Director for Freddie Santos, and Best Musical Production for 2012, and Best Actor for Leo Tavarro Valdez. The ALIW Awards also gave 9 nominations for The King And I including Best Actor in a Musical Bo Cerrudo; Best Actress in a Musical for both Monique Wilson and Shiela Valderamma; Best Child Performer for Anton Posadas; Best Actress in a Featured Role for both Gina Respall and Tanya Manalang.
To know more about the latest news on The King and I including ticket reservations and purchase, visit www.rwmanila.com or call Resorts World Manila’s Tourist / Visitor Hotline at (02) 836-6333.
