Flower Drum Song: A Musical Revival in Concert
The subtitle sounds like just a concert: tuxes and evening gowns and performers shielded by music stands. Instead, the San Diego Asian American Rep gives Rodgers and Hammerstein's Broadway hit (1958) a full staging: set, costumes (blazing reds), even a live, two-piece band. David Henry Hwang condensed the book in 2002. He omitted offensive stereotypes and patronizing attitudes. The book still has dialogue. But the characters are sketchy, the plot thinner. The music remains intact, however. The large AART cast doesn't boast bombshell voices, and sometimes the band overpowers them. The leads do more than capable work (especially Mindy Ella Chu and David Armstrong). Most impressive: the theatricality. Gina Ma's choreography and Peter James Cirino's brisk direction keep the stage in near-constant movement.
Worth a try.
When
Ongoing until Sunday, June 12, 2011
Hours
| Sundays, 2:30pm |
| Thursdays, 7:30pm |
| Fridays, 7:30pm |
| Saturdays, 7:30pm |