East West Players Rolls Out Auditions for an Updated Version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s FLOWER DRUM SONG
The musical will receive a new book by Tony-winner David Henry Hwang and mark the EWP directing debut of artistic director Lily Tung Crystal.
East West Players, in partnership with the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, has announced the audition schedule for the upcoming Spring 2026 production of Rodgers And Hammerstein’s FLOWER DRUM SONG. With a newly updated book by Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang, this production signifies an important moment for Asian American theater and the ongoing dialogue surrounding cultural identity and representation on stage.
The story of Flower Drum Song traces Mei-Li, a young Chinese opera artist who immigrates to San Francisco in the 1960s, escaping communism and navigating the dynamic tension between tradition and assimilation. Hwang’s 2026 adaptation modernizes the narrative, offering audiences a nuanced depiction of Asian American experiences and identities. At a time when authentic representation matters more than ever, the production seeks to spotlight the richness and complexity of these communities.
The creative team is led by Lily Tung Crystal making her EWP directing debut, with music direction by long-time EWP artist Marc Macalintal. East West Players has a longstanding reputation for groundbreaking theatre and is deeply committed to fostering diversity and professional development in the arts.
For more details, prospective performers should review the full casting notice and character breakdown at East West Players’ casting page.
East West Players, commits to be inclusive and seeks to cast a diverse group of actors within the needs of each production. We encourage performers of all ethnicities, races, gender identities, ages, and body types, as well as performers with disabilities, to audition.
Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion.
