East West Players is presenting a revival of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s musical “Flower Drum Song” at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo [1].
The production seeks to modernize a Golden Age classic for contemporary audiences by exploring themes of assimilation. This revival coincides with the 60th anniversary celebration of East West Players [1].
Directed by Lily Tung Crystal, the revival features a new book written by David Henry Hwang [1]. Hwang previously revised the work 25 years ago [2]. The current version aims to address flaws found in those previous revisions while refreshing the narrative for today's viewers [2].
Performance dates for the production began in the fall of 2025, with specific dates announced for Oct. 9, 2025 [3]. The run extended into the 2025-2026 season [2].
Reception of the revival has been mixed among critics and participants. Some cast members said the return was joyous and relevant [4]. However, other reports said the show only intermittently came to life at the Aratani Theatre despite the best intentions of the production team [5].
The Aratani Theatre serves as the primary venue for this iteration of the musical. By updating the script, the company intends to bridge the gap between the original era of the musical, and the modern Asian American experience [2].
“The production features a new book by David Henry Hwang.”
The revival of 'Flower Drum Song' represents an ongoing effort by Asian American theatre practitioners to reclaim and reshape early 20th-century narratives. By commissioning David Henry Hwang to rewrite the book again, East West Players is attempting to strip away outdated stereotypes of the 'Golden Age' while maintaining the musical's historical significance.
