10 -The Michigan Daily -Wednesday, July 13, 1994
Regal Shirley Jones returns to stage in 'The King & I'
a
By Melissa Rose Bernardo
Though her girl-next-door face and
honey-coated voice will always epito-
mize the screen musicals "Okla-
homa!," "Carousel" and "The Music
Man" and though she got her start in
the chorus of "South Pacific" on
Broadway, Shirley Jones claims her
heart isn't in the theater.
"I prefer film," she says matter-
-of-factly.
Nevertheless, this week she be-
gins a two-week stint at the Fisher
Theatre in another Rodgers and
Hammerstein classic, "The King &
I." Jones plays Mrs. Anna, the liber-
ated British schoolteacher who
teaches 19th-century Siam and its
closed-minded King a few lessons.
The role marks Jones' first appear-
ance ina stage production in 15 years.
"A booked show is just such hard
work ... and I don't want to work that
hard," she said. "But it is 'The King &
I,' and Rodgers and Hammerstein are
my mentors, and this is probably their
only show that I have not done."
Jones has of late made a name for
herself with her one-woman show,
touring solo for 10 years. The still
youthful star of 60 has been singing
since she was 12, and has to her credit
some 25 motion pictures, an autobi-
ography ("Shirley and Marty: An
Unlikely Love Story") and an often-
overlooked Academy Award (Best
Supporting Actress, "Elmer Gantry,"
1961). She will invariably be most
fondly remembered for her role on
"The Partridge Family" and as the
mother of successful showbiz stars
David, Sean and Patrick Cassidy.
Her return to life upon the wicked
stage "has been a hardship," but now
that rehearsals are finished, Jones is
relishing the challenge of the show.
"I'm really beginning to enjoy Mrs.
Anna as a character. This is a woman
who, with her child, left Victorian
England to come to a country that is
truly uncivilized. She's really ahead
of her time," Jones said admiringly.
"The King & I" was written for
Gertrude Lawrence, who originated
the role of Mrs. Anna; however, be-
cause of Yul Brenner, "The King and
I" has gradually become a vehicle for
the King. Stepping into Brenner's
shoes (or bare feet in this case) is
Robert Westenberg, star of
Broadway's "Les Misdrables," "Into
the Woods" and "The Secret Gar-
den."Seemingly in an attempt to sh
his predecessor's haunting incarn
tion, Westenberg has not shaven
head. "His command of the stage
unbelievable," Jones commented.
After "The King & I," Jon
doesn't foresee a theatrical comebac
She hopes to get back into films ('
would like to do a mature love sto'
but is not making any concrete pl
"I don't think ahead," she claim!
"whatever comes around the com
..." Shirley Jones has turned som
fabulous corners in her lifetime, an
no doubt will continue to do so - a
long as she follows her heart.
THE KING & Iplays through July 2
at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit. Ca
(313) 872-1000.
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Continued from page 9
ing off a war scar to Lyndon B.
Johnson, and discussing the Watergate
Hotel with Nixon. Tom Hanks blends
in the scene perfectly, which provides
entertaining anecdotes.
Although this film is absolutely
fabulous and a must see, it does tend
to be a bit tedious and monotonous at
times. The story goes on and on about
how incredibly lucky Forrest is and
how everything goes his way. It al-
most sounds too good to be true. Like
everything runs smoothly in real life.
Yeah, right. But you be the judge.
Toward the end of the movie, when
all of Forrest's recollections are put to
rest, the audience finds out the reason
for his reminiscing at a bus stop in
Savannah. All of his fond memories
lead to that special girl that he took in
his heart wherever he went - Jenny.
This isn't quite the end yet, but I th
I'll end it here because I'd hate to spo
it for you. But I'll give you a small hit
- peas and carrots!
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