Origin Theatrical

FLOWER DRUM SONG

The generation gap is given the Rodgers & Hammerstein treatment in this colourful approach to the age-old conflict.

In San Francisco's Chinatown of the late 1950's nightclub owner Sammy Fong's traditional mother has ordered him a picture-bride from China. When Mei Li arrives, shy and at sea in a world she doesn't understand, it's clear that she's the wrong gal for the totally assimilated Sammy. However, she may be just the ticket for Sammy's buddy, whose traditionalist father is fighting a losing battle with his kids against rock 'n' roll, baseball, sports cars and the typical trappings of the modern American life-style. By turns raucous and heartfelt, the solution to this delightful puzzle of properly matching the young people while reconciling the old is a celebration of American ingenuity.

Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS 3 Women 2 Men FEATURED 3 Women 2 Men 1 Boy ENSEMBLE Singing-dancing ensemble with children and several small roles CHARACTERS Madam Liang Liu Ma Wang San Wang Ta Wang Chi Yang Sammy Fong Dr. Li Mei Li Linda Low Mr. Lung (The Tailor) Mr. Huan (The Banker) Helen Chao Professor Cheng Frankie Wing Head Waiter Night Club Singer Dr. Lu Fong Madam Fong Dancing Ensemble Children

Set Requirements: FLOWER DRUM SONG takes place in San Francisco's Chinatown in the present. (FLOWER DRUM SONG premiered in 1958). Living Room in the House of Wang Helen Chao's Room Hill on San Francisco Bay Wang's Living Room Wang's Bedroom Sammy Fong's Apartment Back Garden of House of Wang Three Family Association of Social Hall Dressing Room in Celestial Bar Grant Avenue in Chinatown Celestial Bar

Genre / Style: Musical Romance

Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rehearsal Set 20 Libretto/Vocal Books 2 Piano Vocal Scores Orchestration Package (23 Books) 1 Piano Vocal Scores 1 FLUTE I (Doubling Piccolo, Alto Flute) 1 FLUTE II (Doubling Piccolo) 1 OBOE (Doubling English Horn) 1 CLARINET I (Doubling Alto Sax) 1 CLARINET II (Doubling Alto Sax) 1 BASS CLARINET (Doubling Tenor Sax) 1 HORN I - II 1 TRUMPET I-II 1 TRUMPET III 1 TROMBONE I 1 TROMBONE II 1 TUBA 1 PRECUSSION 2 VIOLIN I (Divisi) 2 VIOLIN II (Divisi) 1 VIOLA (Divisi) 1 CELLO (Divisi) 1 BASS 1 HARP 1 GUITAR (Doubling Banjo and Mandolin)

Musical Numbers: You Are Beautiful, Grant Avenue, A Hundred Million Miracles, Love Look Away, I Enjoy Being A Girl, Fan Tan Fannie, I Am Going To Like It Here, Gliding Through My Memoree, Like A God, The Other Generation, Chop Suey, Sunday, Don't Marry Me

Music by Richard Rodgers, Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Book by Oscar Hammerstein II, Joseph Fields
Based on the novel by C.Y. Lee

1959 Tony Awards

    * 6 Nominations including Best Musical