Jan. 11--Kate Baldwin and Paolo Montalban will star in "The King and I," Lyric Opera announced Monday.
Baldwin and Montalban will play Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam, respectively, in Lyric's large-scale production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's romance about an American tutor with Western ideas and an Eastern leader who values ancient customs.
Baldwin, a graduate of Northwestern University, was last seen in Chicago in the pre-Broadway premiere of "Big Fish." Montalban appeared in "Pacific Overtures" and "The King and I" on Broadway and is best known as the Prince from ABC's "Cinderella" starring Brandy and Whitney Houston.
"The King and I" will continue Lyric's American Musical Initiative as the fourth Rodgers and Hammerstein musical to fill the company's stage, following last year's acclaimed production of "Carousel" starring Laura Osnes.
Lee Blakeley, who staged the 2014 premiere at Paris' Theatre du Chatelet, will direct. The full cast has yet to be announced.
"The King and I" runs April 29 to May 22 at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker Drive.
