LOS ANAGELES — The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) will host Women of Flower Drum Song on Sunday, March 29, from 2:00–4:00 p.m. PDT, at the Democracy Center of the JANM in Downtown Los Angeles.
The program brings together extraordinary performers from across the storied history of the landmark musical Flower Drum Song for a rare, multigenerational conversation exploring representation, belonging, and cultural legacy in the arts.
Spanning the original Broadway production, the classic film adaptation, the 2002 Broadway revival, and the upcoming 2026 production, Women of Flower Drum Song highlights the voices of artists who helped shape—and continue to redefine—this groundbreaking work. Through personal stories and reflections, the program examines how artistic representation strengthens civic identity and reminds us that American culture is built from many cultures.
The afternoon will also feature special performances by stars of the upcoming East West Players production, offering audiences a unique opportunity to experience both the legacy and future of Flower Drum Song in one unforgettable event.
Hosted by Tamlyn Tomita, the program features an esteemed lineup of guests including Lily Tung Crystal, Helen Funai Erickson, Nancy Kwan, Marc Macalintal, Lainie Sakakura, Yuka Takara, Irene Tsu, Grace Yoo, and Krista Marie Yu.
About Flower Drum Song
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song will run April 16–May 31, 2026, at the Aratani Theatre at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) as the grand finale of East West Players’ Diamond Legacy season. Directed by East West Players Artistic Director Lily Tung Crystal, the production features a newly updated book by Tony Award–winning playwright David Henry Hwang.
Set in 1950s San Francisco Chinatown, Flower Drum Song explores themes of assimilation and tradition through the story of Mei-li, a young Chinese opera artist who arrives in America and is drawn into the vibrant nightclub world of Grant Avenue. Hwang’s reimagining for the 2026 production allows Asian Americans to reclaim this cherished work in a meaningful way, illuminating the community’s ongoing evolution and cultural richness.
Women of Flower Drum Song
📍 Japanese American National Museum, Democracy Center
100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
🗓 Sunday, March 29
🕑 2:00–4:00 p.m. PDT