1968 - 1969
Flower Drum Song
Flower Drum Song, the locale of which is San Francisco's Chinatown, tells a love story against a background of family tradition and the age-old differences in viewpoint of the elder and younger generations.
At the centre of what is really a three-fold romance stands Wang Ta, eldest son of Wang Chi Yang, a wealthy, retired, conservative gentleman with much influence in his community. Wang Ta, a fine but inexperienced young man rejects his father's advice that he marry Mei Li, a lovely and modest Chinese Girl, who has come to the United States as a "picture bride".
Mei Li has been brought to this country for the purpose of marrying Sammy Fong, a gambler and night-club operator. Mei Li and her father, Dr. Li, are guests in Wang Chi Lang's house.
Wang Ta has been smitten with the bold and brassy Linda Law whom, in his naivete, he has taken for an unsophisticated young lady, but who actually is an entertainer in Sammy's club and also his girl.
When Wang Ta discovers his mistake, he deeply regrets having defied his father's wish. Another painful difficulty that besets the young man is that he cannot return the love of a third girl, Helen Chao.
At its darkest, the situation is resolved to the satisfaction of nearly all concerned through a clever idea conceived by the innocent Mei Li. Trouble with the various families which, in an association, sit as a court in ancient Chinese fashion, is avoided, and it is breaking nobody's confidence to say that practically everyone lives happily ever after.
Dramatic Director: Joe O'Brien
Musical Director: Berthold Carriere
Choreographer: Joanne Ashe
Cast
Betty Gibson
Madam Liang
Bob Dermer
Frankie Wing
Cathy Patton
Helen Chao
Earl Hanrayy
Dr. Lu Fong
Ed Yeatman
Mr. Huan
Eddie Nunn
Wang Chi Yang
Gene Bukovec
Head Waiter
Janet Foder
Mei Li
Jean Wheeler
Liu Ma
John McKay
Mr. Lung
Keith Harris
Dr. Li
Les Bonhower
Professor Cheng
Lorne Magery
Wang San
Mary Bell
Madam Fong
Paula Burgess
Linda Low
Sal Pantalone
Sammy Fong
Sheila Usher
Fan Tan Fanny
Wally Burgess
Wang Ta
Annabelle MacCarthy
Dancer
Brenda Schieman
Dancer
David Hayes
Chorus
Denise Smith
Dancer, Dance Captain
Helen Miller
Dancer
Isabel Amey
Chorus
Jack Wallace
Chorus
Janet Hassell
Child
Jennifer Dent
Chorus
Jill Welland
Dancer
Joy Phillips
Chorus
Laurie Levitin
Child
Len Morin
Chorus
Lesley Burke
Dancer
Liz O'Hara
Chorus
Lynn Wittenburg
Child
Marcel Carrière
Chorus
Mary Hurd
Dancer
Pat Fraser
Chorus
Pat Kelly
Child
Vern Fraser
Chorus
Wendy Vant
Dancer
Production
Ann Goetz
Set Designer
Bernie Smith
Assistant Set Designer
Beryl Elliot
Hair Styles
Bill Butterworth
Lighting Director
Bill Smith
Chinese Furnishings
Bill Steen
Stage Manager
Charles King
Make-Up
Dave Cochrane
Audio and Sound Effects
Deanna Rutherford
Publicity
Faye Lavell
Ticket Manager
Gil Wright
Publicity, Programme
Ginny Day
Production Co-ordinator
Lorna Rice
Accompanist
Marylin Day
Prompter
Michelle Savage
Assistant to the Director
Murray Smith
Purchasing Co-ordinator
Nancy Carpenter
Properties
Norma Coll
Costume Designer
Ray Smith
Master Carpenter
Rick Matheson
Social Director
Rod Holmes
Accompanist, Programme
Vi Galvin
House Manager
Wally Chopowick
Chinese Furnishings