Scope and Contents An interview with Alvin Ing conducted by David Lewis Hammarstrom on April 15, 2003 by phone. Alvin has performed in more productions of “Flower Drum Song” than any other actor, including as Uncle Chin in the 2002 revival of "Flower Drum Song" written by David Henry Hwang. In this interview, Alvin Ing recalls his experience auditioning, performing and touring. He also shares first impressions and memories of Rodgers and Hammerstein and fellow cast members, makes comparisons...

Scope and Contents An interview conducted with Arabella Hong on June 11, 2003 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. The interview was done over the phone. Arabella played Helen Chao in the 1958 production of Rogers and Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song."In this interview, Arabella discusses her experience on the show, including auditioning for the role, receiving vocal coaching, and making changes to her scene. She also provides a window into the creation and honing of her song “Love, Look Away” and the...

Scope and Contents A phone interview with Baayork Lee conducted by David Lewis Hammarstrom on June 27, 2003. Baayork was an ensemble dancer in the 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein production of "Flower Drum Song."Asked to share memories of rehearsals or shows, she recalls working closely with choreographer Carole Haney on some of the dance numbers, understudying and unexpectedly going on as “Fan Tan Fannie” for one performance, and watching and learning dance steps on the side. She also offers her views...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted with Blythe Matsui on September 15, 2003 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Blythe was a member of the ensemble cast in the 2002 revivial of "Flower Drum Song" written by David Henry Hwang. In this interview, Blythe discusses researching and auditioning for the role of Linda Low, not getting the part, being offered the job of understudy, and her disappointment about not being selected to go on to the subsequent New York production. She also provides a candid...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted with Chao Li Chi on August 14, 2003 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Chi played Dr. Lu Fong in the 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein production of "Flower Drum Song." He passed away in 2010. Chao Li Chi begins the interview by describing the rehearsal process for the show’s theme song “A Hundred Million Miracles,” and the cultural significance of flower drum song as a folk dance style from Anhui Province, where C. Y. Lee, the author of the Flower Drum Song novel...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted by David Lewis Hammarstrom with David Lober on June 17, 2003. David was part of the dance ensemble of the 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein production of "Flower Drum Song."In this interview, David shares various aspects of his experience on “Flower Drum Song,” including auditioning, working with choreographer Carole Haney and director Gene Kelly, serving as dance captain, being let go during the national tour, appealing his firing through an Actors’ Equity...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted with Eric Chan on August 13, 2003 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Eric was a part of the ensemble cast in the 2002 revival of "Flower Drum Song" written by David Henry Hwang. In the interview, Eric is asked to give his thoughts on various versions of “Flower Drum Song” and gives insight into changes made to the show as it transitioned from workshop to Broadway production. A significant portion of the interview addresses the reasons that the show met with...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted with Ivy Tam on February 17, 2004 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Ivy was an ensemble dancer in the 1958 Rogers and Hammerstein production of "Flower Drum Song." She was also a nightclub dancer. In this interview, Ivy Tam provides insight into how dancers at Forbidden City were scouted as talent for the musical production and movie version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Flower Drum Song.” She also discusses how she herself was considered for but ultimately...

Scope and Contents A phone interview conducted with Jodi Long on February 23, 2004 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Jodi played Madame Liang in the 2002 revival of "Flower Drum Song" written by David Henry Hwang. In this interview, Jodi Long goes into particular detail about Flower Drum Song’s casting process and her parents, who are both actors. This interview is one of a series of 18 interviews that author David Lewis Hammarstrom conducted in 2003 as part of research for his book, Flower Drum Songs:...

Scope and Contents A phone interview with Kim Varhola conducted on September 6, 2003 by David Lewis Hammarstrom. Kim was part of the ensemble cast and understudy for Madame Liang in the 2002 revival of "Flower Drum Song" written by David Henry Hwang. Kim Varhola is interviewed by David Lewis Hammastrom on her role in the Broadway revival of “Flower Drum Song.” David begins by asking about Kim’s experience with auditions and performances in both Los Angeles and New York City. Topics also covered...