Woodminster Summer Musicals
40th Anniversary Season Summer 2006
Press contact: Kathy Kahn, woodminsterpr@yahoo.com, 510-418-8523
Theater contact: Harriet Schlader, harriet@woodminster.com, 510-531-9597

CALENDAR INFORMATION AUGUST:
WHAT: "The King and I", Classic Rodgers and Hammerstein Musical
PERFORMED BY: Woodminster Summer Musicals by Producers Associates, Inc.
WHERE: Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland
WHEN: August 4-13, 2006
PERFORMANCES: August 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 8 p.m.
TICKETS: 510-531-9597 or www.woodminster.com, $21.50-$34.50 ($2 discount for children/seniors)
Music by Richard Rodgers, Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Based on 'Anna And The King Of Siam' by Margaret Landon

Woodminster Summer Musicals Continues
40th Season August 4 with "The King and I"
Cast of 55 includes 24 local children

July 12, 2006 - Oakland, CA - Producers Associates, Inc. will continue the 40th consecutive season of the Woodminster Summer Musicals with "The King and I," playing August 4-13. This beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical tells the story of a young English widow named Anna, who travels with her young son to Siam to work as the governess for the many children and wives of the King. Without relaxing their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King grow to understand and, eventually, respect and even love one another. Music is by Richard Rodgers, with book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. The musical is based on 'Anna And The King Of Siam' a novel by Margaret Landon

Woodminster shows are performed by a combination of professional (Actors Equity Association) actors and talented local non-professionals. This very large cast of 55 includes 24 children from nine different Bay Area cities. The 22 young actors playing the Royal Children range in age from Aria Neiman of Pleasant Hill, who is 5, to Hannah Rinehart of Piedmont, who is 12.

The title role of The King will be played by Andrew Hasegawa of Quebec, Canada. This production will be the sixth time in five years that Andrew will have played this role; Northern California audiences will remember him from Alameda Civic Light Opera in 2002 and Woodland Opera House in 2003, and he has also played the role in New York, in Mississippi, and his own home town of Hudson, Quebec, in Canada. Though he had been interested in theater in high school, Andrew left it behind to pursue a career as a dentist. After 16 years as a successful dentist, he found himself unhappy in his work and life, suffered a breakdown, and sold his practice. His wife suggested the family audition together for a local production of "The King and I" as a way for the family to spend time together. They were all cast, Andrew as the King. When the show closed he searched the internet for upcoming productions he might audition for, and has been playing the role ever since. "All I know is that I love doing this role," says Andrew. "I wouldn't mind doing 'The King and I' for the rest of my life."

Anna will be played by long time Woodminster favorite Susan Tilson. Susan grew up in Oakland, attended Skyline High School, and was in the chorus of Woodminster productions as a teenager. She went on to a professional career and lives in New York. Susan is a versatile musical theater actress who delights her Bay Area fans by returning to Woodminster from time to time, most recently in 2001 when she played Chairy in "Barnum" and Eliza in "My Fair Lady," and 2002, when she portrayed Maria in "The Sound of Music" and Abigail Adams in "1776."

"The King and I" will be directed by Joel Schlader, with choreography by Beth Hoge. Vocal director is Trente Morant, and the Orchestra, composed of members of American Federation of Musicians, Local 6, will be conducted by Brandon Adams.
After "The King and I," Woodminster's 40th season will close with "Disney's Beauty and the Beast," playing September 1-10.

Woodminster seasons are chosen based on balloting by season ticket holders, and many seasons are composed of "old favorites" that have been performed before on the Woodminster stage. This year is different, as two of the shows are relatively recent Broadway offerings that have never before been performed at Woodminster. The third, "The King and I," hasn't been performed here since 1969, Woodminster's third season.

The Woodminster Summer Musicals are performed under the stars at Woodminster Amphitheater, an open air performance facility in Joaquin Miller Park high in the Oakland Hills. The park's spectacular views and serene woodsy environment made it the perfect setting for the amphitheater, cascades, reflecting pool, and paths that were originally built as a WPA project in 1939-40. For many East Bay families, it is a long-standing summer tradition to enjoy a picnic in the park and then see a musical at Woodminster.

Producers Associates, Inc. was founded in 1967 by James and Harriet Schlader to provide affordable live summer family entertainment in the East Bay, and to foster a love of live theatre. For the last 40 years, the organization, in partnership with the Oakland Park and Rec Department, has been producing summer musicals at Woodminster Amphitheater. Today it sells more tickets per year than any other resident performing arts group in the city.

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Cast Photos

To see publicity photos for this production, click here. Below, Susan Tilson as Anna and Chandler Burke as her son Louis.