Memorial Day Weekend Must-See: Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song" at the Aratani Theatre thru May 31!

Do not pass go do not collect $200. Go directly to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song before it closes on May 31. This lauded applauded world premiere of Tony-winner David Henry Hwang’s newly updated 2026 book is being presented by the enchanting enthralling East West Players (EWP) at the Aratani Theatre, 244 San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.


The top notch terrific tremendous talented team behind this pristine precise proficient profound production includes Director Lily Tung Crystal, Choreographer Janelle Dote Portman, Musical Director Marc Macalintal, Costume Designer Ruoxuan Li, and Lighting Designer three-time Tony nominee Jiyoun Chang. Music is by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.

The commanding compelling captivating charismatic cast includes EWP veterans Grace Yoo (Broadway: Hadestown) as Mei-Li, Emily Kuroda (CW’s Gilmore Girls) as Madame Liang, Marc Oka (Broadway: The King and I, Flower Drum Song) as Wang, Scott Keiji Takeda (Off Broadway: Sumo) as Ta, and Gedde Watanabe (Broadway: Pacific Overtures) as Chin. Cast members making their EWP debut include Krista Marie Yu (Hulu’s Reboot, FOX’s Last Man Standing) as Linda Low, Kenton Chen (NBC’s The Sing-Off) as Harvard, and newcomer Cooper Bennett as Chao.

Playwright David Henry Hwang says, “My history with EWP started when I was 10 years old. My mother was the pianist for one of their first productions, Menotti’s operetta The Medium, directed by Mako. At an early age, I saw people who looked like me as actors and artistic leaders, which perhaps made it possible for me to envision myself as a playwright when I got to college years later. I’m thrilled to revisit and further revise this classic musical, working once again with the company that has been at the heart of my entire artistic life.”

Director Lily Tung Crystal says, “As a theater kid growing up, I’ll never forget the first time I saw Flower Drum Song. It was pure magic to see faces like mine shine on the silver screen in a major Hollywood film. While the original has its flaws, it remains deeply meaningful to me. Witnessing David’s Tony Award-winning M. Butterfly on Broadway showed me that a genuine path in theater existed for Asian American artists. Now, directing one of my most cherished musicals, written by a playwright I’ve long admired, in my first season as artistic director of EWP is truly a dream. After staging David’s first adaptation in 2019, I’m honored to collaborate with him once again, and I’m especially excited to work with this extraordinary cast, whose talent and energy are bringing new life to a musical that means so much to our community.”



Set against the backdrop of 1960s San Francisco Chinatown, Hwang’s 2026 revision explores themes of immigration, assimilation, tradition, and community with renewed urgency and heart. The story follows Mei-Li, a young Chinese opera performer fleeing communism, as she arrives in America and is drawn into the vibrant world of the Grant Avenue nightclubs.

You will be singing and dancing the night away to Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s celebrated songs such as "A Hundred Million Miracles," "I Enjoy Being A Girl," "Sunday," "Grant Avenue," and "Chop Suey," to name a few.

Regular performances take place on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with additional select weekday shows and matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. All Saturday matinee performances will be designated as “Masked Matinees,” offering a more comfortable environment for patrons who prefer a masked experience. American Sign Language interpretation will be offered at the 8pm performance on Saturday, May 23. Single tickets starting at $99 are available online at eastwestplayers.org or by calling (213) 625-7000. Group discounts are available by contacting the box office at (213) 625-7000 or by emailing boxoffice@eastwestplayers.org

Of worthy note: In 1961, the delightfully divine superbly sublime film adaptation of the Broadway show was released, making history as the first major motion picture with a contemporary Asian-American story and a predominantly Asian-American cast. It was nominated for five Academy Awards. Watch the movie version of Flower Drum Song for free on YouTube, Tubi, Pluto TV, or PLEX.