ACT I will stage one of America’s best-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals in the fall, and the project is such a large undertaking that auditions are planned May 6 and7.

“I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Hello, Young Lovers,” “Getting to Know You,” “We Kiss in a Shadow,” “Something Wonderful,” and “Shall We Dance,” are just some of the familiar melodies from The King and I, the story of British Anna Leonowens traveling to teach the children of the King of Siam in the 1860s.

Paula Sue Duebelt, who will direct the production, said, it’s such a big production, organizers wanted to start early to give people a head start to prepare for the show over the summer.

She and co-director Ronda Ricks will be looking for 20 to 25 children in the king’s entourage, eight adult roles, and an adult chorus. Children from third grade up are needed for the cast.

Those auditioning should come prepared to read, Duebelt said.

“And if they have a prepared song, from a hymn to a nursery rhyme, that’s good. Not to worry if they don’t. We will have something for them to sing.”

Duebelt said it is a “wonderful, wonderful show,” that has delighted audiences for many years.

Rehearsals will begin after the Fourth of July holiday, she said, with the show set for the weekends of Sept. 20 and Sept. 27.

Auditions will be at 6 p.m. for students and at 7 p.m. for adults in the LBWCC Conference Center (adjacent to the Dixon Center for the Performing Arts) on Mon. and Tues., May 6 and 7.

Anyone who is interested but cannot audition on those nights should contact Duebelt at 222-1961.

ACT I is sponsored by the Covington Arts Council.