Lou Diamond Phillips has put down his guitar in favour of a crown in his latest role as the King of Siam, in one of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most famous musicals at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre.
The world-renowned TV and film actor, who played the lead role of Ritchie Valens in the motion picture La Bamba, is currently starring in The King and I with home-grown musical theatre favourite Lisa McCune.
Phillips was previously nominated for a 1996 Tony Award as Best Actor in the production which won The Tony, The Outer Critics Circle, and The Drama Desk awards that year.
Locals around inner city and West Melbourne are not only close to the venue, but are also keeping their eyes open for chance sightings of the popular actor at dining venues in the city. His wife and youngest daughter have joined him for the Melbourne season.
The lavish production has been described as a fresh new look at a time-honoured classic, and is the story of joy and love interwoven within an unforgettable repertoire of songs, including Getting to Know You, Hello Young Lovers, Shall We Dance, Something Wonderful, I Have Dreamed, and I Whistle A Happy Tune.
Fans are snapping up the colourful photographic material produced as keepsakes of the show by program and brochure printers.
Lou Diamond Phillips is due to leave the show at the end of August.
