Just as sex sells in advertising, sex sells in community theater, which could be why the Des Moines Playhouse has twisted sexual tension into its current production of “The King and I.”

“The King and Ana never actually confess their love for each other, but there is a great fondness between them,” said Lee Ann Bakros, marketing and public relations director for the Des Moines Playhouse.

Set in the 1860s, “The King and I” is a story of the conflict of ideas and a clash of cultures in the small country of Siam.

The Yul Brenner version of the play, in which the “old do not change,” is not quite prominent in the version the community theaters are performing, Bakros said. It is more of a story about Ana and the King of Siam.

As the musical unfolds, Ana, a Victorian Englishwoman, comes to Siam with promised freedom to tutor the King’s many children.

Instead she is basically given into slavery at the King’s request. She teaches all 35 children of snow and ice, of how the world spins on an axis, and of music and drama of Eastern cultures.

The King, being much set in his ways, sees the world as only black and white. But Ana begins to open his eyes to a world full of different shades of gray.

The two begin to fall in love, but the King still continues to see Ana as a woman who should only perform her duties as his wife.

Ana, willing to meet the King of Siam halfway in their relationship, is a “strong woman who will adapt,” Bakros said. Although the King’s attitude finally begins to change, it is too late because he is on his deathbed.

The cast, which began practicing in late July, consists of people from around central Iowa, with ages ranging from seven to 50.

This will be the third production of “The King and I” at the Des Moines Playhouse. The first was in the 1960s and the second in 1985.

The ’85 performance featured Greg Leavengood as the King of Siam. More than two years later, Leavengood will pursue the role again

“The King and I” includes such famous tunes as “Shall We Dance?,” “I Whistle a Happy Tune,” “Getting to Know You” and “I Have Dreamed” and won a Tony Award for Best Revival on Broadway in 1995.

Performances of “The King and I” at The Des Moines Playhouse will be Sept. 12 through Oct. 12 on Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., the first Sunday will be at 7:30 p.m. and remaining Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

The prices for tickets on Fridays and Saturdays is $19 for adults, $9.50 for students and $18 for seniors. On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, prices are $16 for adults, $8 for students and $15 for seniors.

The Des Moines Playhouse is located at 831 42nd St., just north of the 42nd Street exit of I-235.

Tickets may be purchased at The Playhouse box office, by phone at (515) 277-6261, by fax at (515) 277-8019 or by computer at www.playhouseinfo @desmoines.com.