0:00 - How she got into the show, impressions of Rodgers and Hammerstein at the auditions, the song she sang was planned for her, Rodgers had lyrics but not the music, sang the song at audition, was told she was too operatic, was told note for note how to change, Rodgers got her a vocal coach
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9:59 - Worked with vocal coach, lyric changes, impressions and directing of Gene Kelly, loved Helen Chao character in the book, listened to comments during intermission, dramatized and introduced changes to scene herself
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20:33 - Gene Kelly demoted to choreographer, others took over directing, show was good but could have been great if had better director, went for laughs at expense of drama, show in trouble when opened in Boston, asked about other changes to her part, Helen in the book, C. Y. Lee was in consultation with Rodgers and Hammerstein, left the show when pregnant, offered role in tour and movie but was pregnant
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29:49 - She thought would get a printed script but they instead wrote the part for her, does not remember audience reaction when show opened, feelings about song “Chop Suey,” Ed Kenney in ballet, Larry Stokes being dumped, New York audience reaction, mixed reviews, cast party, Rodgers and Hammerstein had different personalities, known to be a ladies man, asked who was most responsible for the show’s success
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38:56 - Her view on Asian stereotypes in original “Flower Drum Song,” fidelity to book, comparison between original and new “Flower Drum Song,” why show failed on Broadway, reviews, 9/11, terrible economy
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51:36 - Famous people in the audience, asked if the original would be revivable with a good director, her opinion on revising a show from a different period, Hwang got the approval of Rodgers and Hammerstein heirs, what Oscar Hammerstein said to her when she had trouble singing
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61:08 - Her view on James “Jimmy” Hammerstein, fell down during show, Gene Kelly, communication between Rodgers and Hammerstein, how cast got along, cast personalities, Asian cast, Asian performers then and now
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71:03 - Vocals and melodies, Stephen Sondheim and climax, ideas of “Flower Drum Song” too dated, need contemporary feel, sad that beautiful music is a thing of the past, Andrew Lloyd Webber, discussion of composers, Audra McDonald, state of musical theater today
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80:16 - Her view on rewriting classics of musical theater, view of new “Flower Drum Song,” praise for male version of Helen Chao, Juanita Hall, young children in the show (Pat Robillard), Ed Kenney
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91:08 - More opportunities for Asians now, Chinatown in Oakland, changes in show, Arabella singing song “I Enjoy Being Chinese” (parody of “I Enjoy Being a Girl”), Rodgers would correct if did not sing exactly as he had written, musical theater and jazz were the greatest contribution to music
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