2017.032.018 Oral History Interview with Pat Suzuki, August 17, 2004

 

Pat Suzuki is interviewed by David Lewis Hammarstrom about her role as Linda Low in the original cast of the 1958 “Flower Drum Song” Broadway musical. Topics of discussion include her experiences working with the production team and other cast members, thoughts on the later iterations of “Flower Drum Song,” and confirmation of certain rumors or speculations surrounding specific members of the production. Other major topics include her appearance on television on "Tonight Starring Jack Paar" and David Henry Hwang’s revival of “Flower Drum Song.” This interview is one of a series of 18 interviews that author David Lewis Hammarstrom conducted in 2003 as part of research for his book, Flower Drum Songs: The Story of Two Musicals (2006).

0:00 - Introduction, discussion about how Pat became involved with “Flower Drum Song” and her audition process with Rodgers and Hammerstein, Pat describes her impressions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's personalities when working on the production, Pat talks about Gene Kelly and his involvement in directing the play

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

11:07 - David inquires about her process in learning the songs written for the play, such as “I enjoy being a girl,” she received direction and lessons from Richard Rodgers and describes her interactions with Rodgers when rehearsing the musical numbers, conversation progresses to casting choices for specific characters during the production of the show, including casting choices for characters such as Frankie Wing and Sammy Fong

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

16:49 - David inquires about the opening reception in Boston, including her and audience's reactions to the play, Pat goes into detail about some hiccups that occurred during the play

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

26:32 - David asks about casting decisions related to the ballet for “Flower Drum Song,” Pat recalls her interactions with the ballet cast, shares stories that illuminate their personalities, David returns to the topic of Gene Kelly and his stage direction

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

30:47 - David asks about New York opening night and her meeting Jodi Long, David moves onto the topic of the movie and other future productions of “Flower Drum Song," David and Pat talk about the "New Show," presumably referring to “Flower Drum Song” Broadway revival in 2002, Pat is asked why she thinks the show flopped and she alludes to critics causing the production to be unsuccessful

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

37:28 - David inquires about whether Pat thinks the rewriting of “Flower Drum Song” was due to racism

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

43:45 - David asks whether “Flower Drum Song” merits revival, conversation segues into Jack Paar and his interactions with Pat during the production of “Flower Drum Song,” Pat talks about the interviews and talk show appearances she did for the musical, this is followed by a series of miscellaneous questions related to her experiences during production

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

53:58 - Closing statements, more miscellaneous questions such as whether she had hopes to feature in more musicals, her family life, and her career after the conclusion of the original “Flower Drum Song”

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:


Search This Index
Search Clear