MU Performing Arts and Park Square Theatre Co-Produce FLOWER DRUM SONG

Park Square continues its 42nd season on the Proscenium Stage with a Mu Performing Arts and Park Square Theatre co-production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song, directed by Mu Artistic Director Randy Reyes, based on the 2002 book adaptation by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly, Yellowface, Chinglish). Previously produced by Mu in 2009, this will be a fully reimagined production featuring new and familiar faces. Flower Drum Song, created by legendary musical theater duo Rodgers and Hammerstein takes audiences to the vibrant world of San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1950s to Club Chop Suey, a nightclub owned by a Chinese-American family. Old World tradition clashes with New World trends as two generations, father and son, struggle to honor and protect their cultural traditions while adapting to the changing times.

Featuring beloved songs such as "I Enjoy Being A Girl," "I Am Going To Like It Here," "Don't Marry Me" and "Chop Suey," Flower Drum Song is a funny, charming and moving story that explores what it means to be an American. It touches the history of every person whose forbearers once arrived as strangers to these shores of the United States. The play's exploration of the immigrant journey in the United States remains extremely timely considering our current political state.

For the first time ever, Park Square and Mu Performing Arts will join forces to co-produce this important work during Mu's 25th Anniversary season. "I'm thrilled to partner with Richard Cook and the talented team at Park Square Theatre to present this important work in the Asian-American musical theater canon," said Randy Reyes. "The ability to partner with an organization like Park Square allows us to create a lively, large-scale production that audiences are going to love. I'm deeply interested in the story of Flower Drum Song and how it echoes the story of Mu Performing Arts. As an Asian American company we wrestle with holding onto the traditions of our culture while assimilating to American audiences in order to survive."

Park Square's Artistic Director Richard Cook added, "This co-production builds on a rich history of Mu-Park Square collaboration and mutual support that was auspiciously launched in 2004 with a much-lauded production of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures. Since then, both Mu and Park Square have emerged as sophisticated producers of American musicals. This production merges Mu's unique Asian-American voice with Park Square's celebration of embracing big-hearted musicals like Ragtime and The Color Purple. It's a mutual high bar that's doubly exciting!"

Flower Drum Songs features Stephanie Bertumen (Mei Li) and Sherwin Resurreccion (Wang) both veterans of Mu's 2009 production and returning in new roles. The production also includes Wes Mouri* (Ta), Eric "Pogi" Sumangil* (Chin), Meghan Kreidler* (Linda), Daniel Sakamoto-Wengel (Harvard) and Katie Bradley* (M. Liang).

Flower Drum Song features a ten-actor ensemble including Brianna Belland, Kylee Birkman, Ashley Kershaw, Alice McGlave, Nikko Raymo, Nicole Reibe, Sarah M. Schweitzer, Jake Sullivan, Joseph Vang and Meng Xiong.

The production team includes Andrew Fleser (Musical Director), Penelope Freeh (Choreographer) Mina Kinukawa (Set Designer), Michael P. Kittel (Lighting Designer), Andrea M. Gross (Costume Designer), Jacob M. Davis (Sound Designer), Abbee Warmboe (Props Designer), Jamie J. Kranz* (Stage Manager) and Lyndsey Harter* (Assistant Stage Manager).

*Member, Actors Equity Association

Flower Drum Song Performance Schedule: Previews begin Friday, January 20, and continue through Thursday, January 26, January 27 is Opening Night, and the run continues through February 19. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. except for Saturday and Sunday matinees, which begin at 2 p.m. All performances are on the company's Proscenium Stage in Saint Paul's historic Hamm Building, 20 W. 7th Place.

Ticket prices: Previews: $37 and $47. Regular Run: $50 and $70. Discounts are available for seniors, those under age 30, and groups. Tickets are on sale at the Park Square ticket office, 20 W. Seventh Place, or by phone: 651.291.7005, (12 noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday), or online atparksquaretheatre.org.

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