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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

Flower Drum Song
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