From left: Kenton Chen, Krista Marie Yu, Marc Oka, Gedde Watanabe, and Emily Kuroda in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Flower Drum Song,” produced by East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.
By ROBERT HORSTING
Having just seen the newly envisioned East West Players production of “Flower Drum Song,” my short recommendation is: “Why are you wasting time reading this? Go buy your tickets!”
David Henry Hwang had written a different take on this Rodgers and Hammerstein production (with the estates’ permission/collaboration) in 2001. Revisiting that effort, he re-envisioned it to address current social mores and events, giving that old familiar storyline more relevance while providing some surprises along the way.
The cast leads are more than a match for the iconic roles etched in my memory. Grace Yoo, in the role of Mei-Li, skillfully delivers a strong yet nuanced performance to her array of songs. Krista Marie Yu approaches her Linda Low role with a confidence and sexy swagger that would assure Nancy Kwan that the torch she is passing on is in very able hands. Scott Keiji Takeda convincingly depicts the struggles along a journey to find his own identity while navigating two cultures.
Other notable performances provided by Emily Kuroda, Marc Oka, Gedde Watanabe, and Kenton Chen present some fun and surprising moments.
Being a big fan of creative stage craft (I’m referring to the use of props, or the absence of them, while conveying a visual that stimulates the audience’s imagination to complete the suggested scene), I very much enjoyed the use of a common dowel for a large effect. My appreciation also extends to the way in which the set transitioned between scenes.
This production will stimulate both your mind’s eye and your mind, expanding the way you perceive this storyline for those who’ve seen the original movie or past productions. If seeing “Flower Drum Song” for the first time, I hope you’ll appreciate Hwang’s efforts to infuse historical background, the references to current social issues, and the message of inclusiveness of a larger community.
Having seen the film in my youth (Not in its original release. My trunk doesn’t have that many rings, thank you very much!), I recall hearing my sister and mother singing or humming various songs for many days on end. Just as music or any song has the power to transport you to another moment in time, hearing those tunes brought the movie scenes back to life.
In this adaptation, some of those familiar songs have been adeptly reassigned to different characters, giving the scene and the song a whole new twist.
Now finding myself whistling some of those more memorable tunes, I must admit, I’ve already purchased tickets for another performance, so you know my money is behind my words.
Showtimes/tickets: https://www.eastwestplayers.org/flower
©2026 Robert M. Horsting