After Loretta Swit charmed the husk right off of the corn in a springtime showing of Mame, North Carolina Theatre stays plugged into the celebrity circuit when Lou Diamond Phillips reprises his 1996 Tony-nominated Broadway turn in The King and I. For first timers, this Raleigh-based professional company exists solely to put on archive-level productions of classic American musical theater–which makes this light Rodgers and Hammerstein confection from 1951 a prime candidate for their ministrations. Sumptuous sets and costumes, Jerome Robbins’ choreography and McCrae Hardy’s steadfast orchestra should give those who love musicals additional incentives to show. Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday, with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$60. 831-6950
