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Posted by Brigid Nelson on 07/04/06 17:43
Derek Janssen wrote:
> Frank R.A.J. Maloney wrote:
>
>> Howard Brazee wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Why has the musical _Flower Drum Song_ mostly disappeared? Because
>>> it isn't about white folk?
>>
>>
>> I suppose you know "Flower Drum Song" was revived and revised for
>> Broadway in 2002, with a new book by David Henry Hwang, and some
>> changes to the lyrics and numbers. It ran for 169 performances
>> compared to the 600 performance-run of the original production.
>>
>> I find it more than interesting that one of the more positive user
>> comments was by the son of Dong Kingman, the artist who created the
>> beautiful opening and closing title paintings for the film.
>>
>> The son wrote in part: "In many ways a beautiful film, and a case can
>> be made, a pioneering one. Okay so it is a bit corny, a few young
>> members of audience uneasily snickered at the stereotypes, scenes
>> could have been cut, especially one fantasy sequence. Yet the Flower
>> Drum Song endures and to enjoy."
>>
>> All of which confirms the opinions of this Irish-American that _Flower
>> Drum Song_ is far from the most egregious thing that has ever been
>> filmed about the Chinese in America.
>
>
> And a viewing of "State Fair" will continue the debate about whether FDS
> really *IS* the lamest and least immortal Rodgers & Hammerstein ever
> filmed.
>
> Derek Janssen (it's the "I Enjoy Being a Girl" one...How good could it
> BE??)
I still bear the scars from having to sing that song publicly - but
fortunately as part of the fifth and sixth grade choir. Our theme for
the program was songs from musicals. We did a medly from Sound of
Music, another medley from Oliver which included "As Long As He Needs
Me" and the entriety of "I Enjoy Being A Girl". I cannot imagine this
program being sung by 11 and 12 year olds today.
brigid
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