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Flower Drum Song," certainly one of Rodgers & Hammerstein's best-known musicals, is perennially popular in Hawaii. How popular is it? Well, Army Community Theatre's current production is the third to be staged there since 1989. An impressively talented cast directed and choreographed by Broadway veteran Jim Hutchison ensures that fans of the show -- and fans of classic Broadway musicals in general -- will find this fanciful slice of mid-20th century Asian-American life worth sampling once again. Iolani senior shines as
demure picture brideReview by John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.comCommunity theater should be a venue for exposing fresh talent, and ACT does so here as Iolani senior Stefanie Okuda adds a third stellar entry to her resume with her performance as the demure picture bride Mei Li.
Okuda gave a Po'okela-worthy performance as Juan Peron's teenage mistress in ACT's 2001 staging of "Evita," and distinguished herself in the larger role of Katsumi in ACT's "Sayonara" last fall. She takes another big step forward with her performance here.
Okuda's voice soars beautifully over musical director Lisa Jeong Doo's orchestra on several key numbers. "A Hundred Million Miracles" and "I Am Going to Like it Here" particularly demonstrate Okuda's vocal capabilities. Her success in developing both comic and poignant facets of the role confirms her acting skill as well.
The balance of comedy and romantic drama is crucial. Mei Li is an innocent who is smuggled in from China as the wife-to-be of fast-talking Chinese-American nightclub owner Sammy Fong. Sammy's parents either don't know or don't care that he has a five-year relationship going with Linda Low, the lead dancer at his Celestial Gardens nightclub. When Mei Li and her father turn up unexpectedly in San Francisco, Sammy decides to pass Mei Li's marriage contract on to wealthy Wang Chi Yang. Master Wang wants a traditional Chinese wife for his Americanized son, Wang Ta, and dreads waiting out the years it would take to bring such a woman into the country legally.
Presented by Army Community Theatre 'Flower Drum Song'
Where: Richardson Theatre, Fort Shafter
When: 7:30 p.m. today, tomorrow, March 15 and 16
Tickets: $12 and $15 adults; and $6 and $8 children
Call: 438-4480 or 438-5230
Master Wang has good reason to worry. Wang Ta met Linda on an American-style blind date and wants to marry her. Wang Ta is such an innocent that he believes her when she explains away the expensive car she drives as a gift from her wealthy older brother.
There are nuances in director Hutchison's staging of "Flower Drum Song" that are best appreciated by referring back to the 1961 film version of the musical starring Nancy Kwan (Linda), James Shigeta (Wang Ta), Jack Soo (Sammy) and Miyoshi Umeki (Mei Li). The adaptation was designed to better showcase the sexy and glamorous Kwan. ACT's Tricia Marcell has the moves down in her portrayal of the seductive and materialistic showgirl, but Hutchison's direction and Okuda's captivating performance as Mei Li provide the balance to make the outcome of the romantic entanglements satisfying.
The ACT show benefits from strong performances in the other major roles. Kevin W. Yamada (Wang Ta), proves himself competent in a demanding role as a romantic lead. Woody Chock (Master Wang) is excellent as the beleaguered father and just about dead-on in recreating the characterization created by his cousin, Benson Fong, in the film.
Nicole Sullivan (Helen Chao) is one tear away from heartbreaking as the lonely seamstress Wang Ta ignores; you will feel her pain. Sullivan floods "Love Look Away" with the depth and emotional power it requires to illuminate the darkest side of the romantic goings-on. Sullivan and Yamada work together perfectly as they bring Helen's story to its climax.
Daren Kimura plays Sammy with bits of bluster that give the Chinatown smoothie traces of vulnerability. Charlotte Dias (Madam Liang) and Larry Fukumoto (Dr. Li) add effective supporting performances as members of the "older generation."
Scot Izuka is appropriately maladroit as Frankie Wing, the second-rate comic/singer who doubles as "Commodore Low" when Linda meets Wang Ta's family. Jenny Mayumi Unno, memorable without a word spoken in ACT's recent production of "South Pacific," gets a brief, bright showcase here with "Fan Tan Fanny."
And maybe March is a lucky month for ACT, but the sound on opening night was the best at the theater since "South Pacific."
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