Musical theater takes the complexities of traditional theater productions to the extreme. To produce and pull together a show that demands music, singing and choreography with the traditional elements of theater — acting, sound and staging — is like turning a mere sketch into a Picasso.

But for three years in a row, West Albany High School has developed and brought to life musical productions with results worthy of the professional stage.

The school’s latest effort, “The King and I,” will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the West Albany cafeteria, 1130 Queen Ave. S.W.

Additional performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 28, May 4, 5, 11 and 12, and at 1:30 p.m. May 5 and 12. The 7:30 p.m. showings on April 28, May 5 and 12 will be dessert theater.

Planning for the musical began in September, long before the January auditions, and a class was even devoted to help prepare for the spring opening.

The production is so large though that it has turned into a family affair.

In her senior year, Elizabeth Elzinga takes the lead as Anna. She has been involved with the chaotic production process since her sophomore year when she played Louisa in “The Sound of Music.”

“I know when I first tried out as a sophomore, I was terrified,” the 17-year-old Elzinga said. “I thought it was going to be a piece of cake and it wasn’t.”

Elzinga’s mother, Cindy, and siblings Natasha, Joshua and Jacob are also involved.

Of the 286 costumes needed, it is estimated that Cindy made all but about 100 of them. Sister Natasha will perform as Eliza in the “Uncle Thomas” scene, and twins Joshua and Jacob are playing two of the king’s 67 children.

“We're all here and this is where ‘our’ time is,” Elizabeth said. “Instead of around the dinner table, we're involved with the play. It's kind of nice since I'll be going to college in the fall.”

The Elzingas aren’t the only family on set. Even the directors have included their younger children in the show to help fill out the king’s family, and 28 children from Liberty Elementary School have been asked to participate again this year. Last year the Liberty kids served as munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz.”

With so much support for the show, there is no wondering why this group meets the extravagant heights they work toward.

Each year the set designs become more elaborate and colorful as if to top the year before. This year is no different.

Once more the crew has built out from the stage to create the locations they need for the musical.

At the right side of the stage (for the audience), a boat and dock have been constructed. To the left, an Asian garden is completed with trees and live plants donated by Tom’s Garden Center in Albany.

The true grandeur of the set, however, is on main stage. It captures the essence of 1860 Siam with its strong use of color, patterns and naturalistic paintings.

Upon the backwall — just behind where the King sits — is a hand painted mural by senior Paige Miller, who has handled much of the artistic design of the set. Miller also designed the elephants that run vertically on each side. The elephants capture the eye when the curtain is drawn.

The estimated cost for this show is between $7,000 to $8,000. The majority of that price tag — which also includes cost for royalties — is because of the lumber the crew had to purchase to fully develop its vision of Siam.

Tickets for the show are $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors; dessert theater is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

For more information, call West Albany at 967-4545 and ask for Cate Cafferella or Cameron McFee, or e-mail kind_and_i2007@yahoo.com.

Cast of Characters

Elizabeth Elzinga as Anna

Cameron Graham as King

Kevin Christensen as Captain Ortan and King, understudy

Rylan Woodrow as Kralahome

Courtney Gowans as Lang Thaiang

James Franklin as Lun Tha

Kaylie Chytraus as Tuptim

TJ Thomas as Sir Edward

Ryan Prouty as Interpreter

Nate Top as Phra Alack

Carrie Burchert as Louis Leonowens

Caryn Rhodes as Prince Chulalongkorn

Peyton Zeigler as Prince Chulalongkorn, understudy

Riley Mikesell as Prince Ying Yaowlak

Anna Anderson, Whitney Daugherty, Chelsea Eberhart, Leanna Hill, Ariel Huffman, Sara Keys, Monica Kinkley, Meghan Lloyd, Brittany Mills, Keira Nicholson, Heather Porter, Megan Workman, Jeanette Sanker and Kayla Ward as the king's wives

Evan French, Brennan Hickam, Jeremiah Jensen, Andrew Knoy, Ian Martin and Matthias Snell as monks, guards, slaves and deckhands

Katie Daugherty, Joshua Elzinga, Jacob Elzinga, Breanna Froemke, Connor Hackett, Sharon Kuechler, Karmin Walker, Conner Welsh, Simone Welsh, Brittany Williams, Peyton Zeigler and additional children from Liberty Elementary School as the children of the king

“Uncle Thomas” Group

Anna Anderson as a dancer

Erica Brimhall as Simon

Madeline Dodge and Natasha Elzinga as Eliza

Alex Hammond and Erin Hogan as Angel/George

Andrew Knoy and Holly Leder as Uncle Thomas

Amber Linenberger as Topsy

Tia Pederson, Heather Porter and Jeanette Sanker as Eva

Saileen Baughman, Leanna Hill, Elizabeth Utt and Brittany Williams as the dance crew

By Heather Crabtree, Albany Democrat-Herald