| CAST |
ELIZABETH ROSE MORRISS
MARY ELIZABETH NIEC
DAVID HAINES
STEVE ZEIDENBERG
BOB DEUTSCH
LLOYD DEAN
SUSAN SANDERS
ANDREA STRAYER
PETER LOUCAS
BLAIN BERDAN
DEAN DEFFETT
PAULA WILKIE
MARY ELIZABETH NIEC
DAVID HAINES
STEVE ZEIDENBERG
BOB DEUTSCH
LLOYD DEAN
SUSAN SANDERS
ANDREA STRAYER
PETER LOUCAS
BLAIN BERDAN
DEAN DEFFETT
PAULA WILKIE
| Mei Li Linda Low Sammy Fong Wang Ta Wang Chi Yang Dr. Li Madam Liang Helen Chao Frankie Mr. Huan / Professor Cheng / Dr. Lu Fong Wang San Madam Fong |
Sept 1 to Sept 17, 2005
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Flower Drum Song
September 7, 2005
Theatre review by Mark Andrew Lawrence
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song was a hit when it opened on Broadway in 1958 and the original cast recording landed
at the top of the Billboard best-sellers chart. Since then it has seldom been staged. Although it is not any kind of overlooked gem, it is
an entertainingly modest show with a simple story touching on both culture clash and the generation gap.
The Civic Light Opera Company is reviving Flower Drum Song as the first production of the season at the Fairview Library Theatre.
By tightening the overlong book and giving the piece a more intimate staging, they make the show work quite effectively on the
Fairview stage. The 4-piece ensemble, sounding like a late 1950s jazz combo, backs the singers giving the musical numbers the punch
they need.
Director Joe Cascone keeps the story moving at a good pace and nicely points up the contrasts between the leading characters. The
best moments are the small ones where genuine emotion rises to the surface and we see the characters coming to life and relating to
each other.
Leading the cast as old master Wang Chi-Yang is Bob Deutsch who is properly stern but occasionally shows a kind heart underneath
all the bluster. Susan Sanders as his sister-in-law scores some of the show’s funniest lines while playing a surrogate mother to her
nephews, the younger of which is amusingly and capably played by 10 year-old stage veteran Dean Deffett.
Steve Zeidenberg who has a pleasant voice plays the elder boy singing the tender “You are Beautiful” with understated passion. Watch
as he meets his picture bride, Mei Li, for the first time: You can see right away they are destined for each other.
Mei Li is given an enchantingly subtle performance by Elizabeth Morriss who catches the naiveté of the character without missing any
of the pride. Similarly, Lloyd Dean brings quiet dignity to the role of her father, Dr. Li.
Contrasting with the quiet Mei Li is the brassy Linda Low, as played here by Mary Elizabeth Niec. She belts out the hit song “I Enjoy
being a Girl” with genuine enthusiasm and dances up a storm in her nightclub striptease. She is well matched by David Haines as her
nightclub owner boyfriend, Sammy Fong, and their duet “Sunday” is charming.
Flower Drum Song is big on charm. The humour is gentle, and the story is fairly simplistic. Still, it is enjoyable and thanks to Cascone
and company we have a rare chance to see this seldom staged Rodgers and Hammerstein musical comedy.
September 7, 2005
Theatre review by Mark Andrew Lawrence
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song was a hit when it opened on Broadway in 1958 and the original cast recording landed
at the top of the Billboard best-sellers chart. Since then it has seldom been staged. Although it is not any kind of overlooked gem, it is
an entertainingly modest show with a simple story touching on both culture clash and the generation gap.
The Civic Light Opera Company is reviving Flower Drum Song as the first production of the season at the Fairview Library Theatre.
By tightening the overlong book and giving the piece a more intimate staging, they make the show work quite effectively on the
Fairview stage. The 4-piece ensemble, sounding like a late 1950s jazz combo, backs the singers giving the musical numbers the punch
they need.
Director Joe Cascone keeps the story moving at a good pace and nicely points up the contrasts between the leading characters. The
best moments are the small ones where genuine emotion rises to the surface and we see the characters coming to life and relating to
each other.
Leading the cast as old master Wang Chi-Yang is Bob Deutsch who is properly stern but occasionally shows a kind heart underneath
all the bluster. Susan Sanders as his sister-in-law scores some of the show’s funniest lines while playing a surrogate mother to her
nephews, the younger of which is amusingly and capably played by 10 year-old stage veteran Dean Deffett.
Steve Zeidenberg who has a pleasant voice plays the elder boy singing the tender “You are Beautiful” with understated passion. Watch
as he meets his picture bride, Mei Li, for the first time: You can see right away they are destined for each other.
Mei Li is given an enchantingly subtle performance by Elizabeth Morriss who catches the naiveté of the character without missing any
of the pride. Similarly, Lloyd Dean brings quiet dignity to the role of her father, Dr. Li.
Contrasting with the quiet Mei Li is the brassy Linda Low, as played here by Mary Elizabeth Niec. She belts out the hit song “I Enjoy
being a Girl” with genuine enthusiasm and dances up a storm in her nightclub striptease. She is well matched by David Haines as her
nightclub owner boyfriend, Sammy Fong, and their duet “Sunday” is charming.
Flower Drum Song is big on charm. The humour is gentle, and the story is fairly simplistic. Still, it is enjoyable and thanks to Cascone
and company we have a rare chance to see this seldom staged Rodgers and Hammerstein musical comedy.
| Blain Berdan, Elizabeth Morriss, Lloyd Dean, Susan Sanders, Steve Zeidenberg, Bob Deutsch, Dean Deffett |