A History of The King and I, Told Through These Rarely-Seen Al Hirschfeld Works

A History of The King and I, Told Through These Rarely-Seen Al Hirschfeld Works

In celebration of The New-York Historical Society's special exhibition "The Hirschfeld Century: The Art of Al Hirschfeld" and the new book "The Hirschfeld Century: Portrait of an Artist and His Age," Playbill presents a look back at some classic Al Hirschfeld drawings. For the month of July, we feature some of his work celebrating The King and I.

Getrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner, 1951<br><br>
Hirschfeld contributed to this original production when he showed Rodgers and Hammerstein and Jerome Robbins home movies he had made of Siam court dances that he had made on his trip there in 1947.

Getrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner, 1951

Hirschfeld contributed to this original production when he showed Rodgers and Hammerstein and Jerome Robbins home movies he had made of Siam court dances that he had made on his trip there in 1947.

Among Replacements To Be Seen in Major Roles This Summer, 1952<br><br>
(Clockwise From Top Left) Celeste Holm in <i>King and I</i>; Betty Field & Burgess Meredith in <i>The Four Poster</i>; Maggie McNamara in <i>The Moon Is Blue</i>; Robert Mariotti in <i>Mrs. McThing</i>; Eddie Dowling in <i>Paint Your Wagon</i>; and <i>Barbara Baxley in I Am A Camera</i><br><br>
When Gertrude Lawrence went on vacation in the summer of 1952 R&H stalwart Celeste Holm took over the role of Anna. Hirschfeld recorded many of the replacements seen that summer.

Among Replacements To Be Seen in Major Roles This Summer, 1952

(Clockwise From Top Left) Celeste Holm in King and I; Betty Field & Burgess Meredith in The Four Poster; Maggie McNamara in The Moon Is Blue; Robert Mariotti in Mrs. McThing; Eddie Dowling in Paint Your Wagon; and Barbara Baxley in I Am A Camera

When Gertrude Lawrence went on vacation in the summer of 1952 R&H stalwart Celeste Holm took over the role of Anna. Hirschfeld recorded many of the replacements seen that summer.

Some Brawny Specimens On The Broadway Stages, 1953<br><br>
(From L To R) Ralph Meeker in <i>Picnic</i>; Jordan Bentley in <i>Wonderful Town</i>; Alfred Drake in <i>King and I</i>; and Jack Cassidy in <i>Wish You Were Here</i><br><br>
In the summer of 1952, Yul Brynner took a vacation and another <i>Oklahoma!</i> veteran, Alfred Drake took over the role of the King. Hirschfeld brought together all the hunks on Broadway for this drawing.

Some Brawny Specimens On The Broadway Stages, 1953

(From L To R) Ralph Meeker in Picnic; Jordan Bentley in Wonderful Town; Alfred Drake in King and I; and Jack Cassidy in Wish You Were Here

In the summer of 1952, Yul Brynner took a vacation and another Oklahoma! veteran, Alfred Drake took over the role of the King. Hirschfeld brought together all the hunks on Broadway for this drawing.

Barbara Cook and Farley Granger, 1960<br><br>
Barbara cook played Anna in this City Center revival and later recorded the role for a 1964 Columbia studio recording.

Barbara Cook and Farley Granger, 1960

Barbara cook played Anna in this City Center revival and later recorded the role for a 1964 Columbia studio recording.

Darren McGavin and Rise Stevens, 1964<br><br>
Opera singer Rise Stevens played the lead in 1964 production, part of Lincoln Center's summer series of musicals presented by Richard Rodgers.

Darren McGavin and Rise Stevens, 1964

Opera singer Rise Stevens played the lead in 1964 production, part of Lincoln Center's summer series of musicals presented by Richard Rodgers.

Constance Towers in <i>The King and I</i>, 1977<br><br>
Towers played the role of Anna to Yul Brynner’s King in this 1976 revival and tour. It was her last Broadway appearance, having first appeared in 1965.

Constance Towers in The King and I, 1977

Towers played the role of Anna to Yul Brynner’s King in this 1976 revival and tour. It was her last Broadway appearance, having first appeared in 1965.

This drawing appeared alongside an article about how certain actors could not escape their most famous roles, including Brynner and <i>The King and I</i> and James O’Neill in <i>The Count of Monte Cristo</i>

This drawing appeared alongside an article about how certain actors could not escape their most famous roles, including Brynner and The King and I and James O’Neill in The Count of Monte Cristo

Richard Rodgers Surrounded By Characters From His Greatest Shows, Gouache. 1978<br><br>
Yul Brynner as the King was among the iconic performers in signature roles that surrounded their composer, Richard Rodgers on this Stereo Review cover.

Richard Rodgers Surrounded By Characters From His Greatest Shows, Gouache. 1978

Yul Brynner as the King was among the iconic performers in signature roles that surrounded their composer, Richard Rodgers on this Stereo Review cover.

<i>Jerome Robbins' Broadway</i>, 1989<br><br>
Dancers from <i>The King and I</i> are included along with nine other productions in this tour de force portrait of choreographer Jerome Robbins who returned to Broadway to put together this evening of his greatest Broadway dances.

Jerome Robbins' Broadway, 1989

Dancers from The King and I are included along with nine other productions in this tour de force portrait of choreographer Jerome Robbins who returned to Broadway to put together this evening of his greatest Broadway dances.

Lou Diamond-Phillips and Donna Murphy, 1996<br><br>Both Donna Murphy and the production itself won Tonys in 1996. Lou Diamond-Phillips was nominated for one for his role as The King, his only Broadway appearance.

Lou Diamond-Phillips and Donna Murphy, 1996

Both Donna Murphy and the production itself won Tonys in 1996. Lou Diamond-Phillips was nominated for one for his role as The King, his only Broadway appearance.

A History of The King and I, Told Through These Rarely-Seen Al Hirschfeld Works

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A History of The King and I, Told Through These Rarely-Seen Al Hirschfeld Works

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