The King and I is a Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein collaboration based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and theKing of Siam. There are a number of memorable musical numbers in The King and I, including “Getting to Know You,” “Shall We Dance” and “Hello Young Lovers.” The story involves English widow Anna Leonowens who comes to Siam in the 1860s, with her son Louis, to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King. The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna, the King learns the fine points and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization while Anna comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries, Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance, but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them, Anna and the monarch come to respect and care for one another. When the King dies, Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam, young Prince Chulalongkhorn.
