Tacoma Musical Playhouse Presents FLOWER DRUM SONG 5/2, 5/8

Tacoma Musical Playhouse is proud to present next on the mainstage the new adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic, Flower Drum Song. Having fallen out of the standard musical theater repertoire during the civil rights era, the beautiful score and original story based on the novel by C.Y. Lee have been re-crafted by Asian-American playwright David Henry Hwang in a manner that has been commended by critics for making "revolutionary and appropriate changes in handling the delicate racial themes" of the original script. Still set in San Francisco's Chinatown of the 1960s, this new tale is now depicted through both generational conflict and those of the eastern traditions of Chinese Opera and western-style song and dance entertainment.

TMP has assembled an all-Asian cast led by international recording artist April Villanueva as "Mei-Li," and the multi-talented Jay Paranada who returns home from a successful New York career to portray the elder "Wang." This extremely talented cast of performers will lead you through the beautiful sights and sounds of Chinese opera and a Rodgers & Hammerstein score including the favorites: A Hundred Million Miracles, Love Look Away, Don't Marry Me and I Enjoy Being a Girl.

Performances of Flower Drum Song are Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm, and Sundays at 2 pm, with Saturday matinees at 2 pm on May 2nd and 8th. All performances will take place at Tacoma Musical Playhouse, 7116 6th Avenue in Tacoma. All seating for TMP and TCMT productions is reserved, so advance purchase is strongly recommended.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $23 for students, seniors and military, and $18 for children 12 and younger. Student Rush tickets are only $18 for all opening weekend performances. Group rates are available.

For tickets or more information, please visit www.tmp.org or call the TMP Box Office at 253-565-6867.