2017.032.013 Oral History Interview with Kim Varhola, September 6, 2003

 

Kim Varhola is interviewed by David Lewis Hammastrom on her role in the Broadway revival of “Flower Drum Song.” David begins by asking about Kim’s experience with auditions and performances in both Los Angeles and New York City. Topics also covered include casting decisions, funding and investments, marketing strategy, and critical reception. An emphasis is placed on comparing the differences between the Los Angeles and Broadway performances on points of contrast ranging from environment to demographics of the audience. 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 - Introductions, Kim’s involvement with Flower Drum Song

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

5:10 - Recalls auditioning process, from trial singing to first reading, her reaction upon first reading the script, comparison to the movie, goes into detail about specific scenes in the movie and her hypothesis on why it was omitted from the play version

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

11:00 - Kim and David discuss and interpret the meaning behind specific scenes of “Flower Drum Song,” their thoughts on why certain scenes were dropped from the play, the workshop and rehearsal process

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

16:45 - Discussion of Robert Longbottom’s direction and casting of “Flower Drum Song,” goes into detail about Robert’s ability to maximize the potential of cast members regardless of their professional background

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

22:40 - David inquires about why certain parts of the play underwent further changes during the early periods of “Flower Drum Song” Kim shares her experience on these matters during production, David reads to Kim various critical opinions on the changes made to the play when it was performed in New York, Kim discusses her thoughts and opinions on this matter

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

31:20 - David asks her thoughts on whether there were “too many cooks” in the direction of “Flower Drum Song” when it went to Broadway and whether decisions were made behind Robert’s back, Kim responds with her own thoughts on working with Robert, David inquires about why so many members of the cast were left behind in Los Angeles

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

36:25 - David inquires about comments regarding the show with an emphasis on “bigger bigger, louder louder,” Kim describes the environmental factors that impacted the show’s presentation in New York, discusses other differences between the Los Angeles and New York performances

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

42:42 - The production company’s push to advertise the show to residents of New York Chinatown, her thoughts on this strategy and why it potentially failed, the mixed reviews in New York, critical reception from the press, lack of celebrity presence during opening night

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

50:30 - Kim discusses one particular critic who in Kim’s opinion correctly understood David Henry Hwang’s vision for reviving “Flower Drum Song,” David asks Kim about public reception to the show, states that the audience had a better opinion on the show prior to reviews from critics

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

56:13 - Benjamin Mordecai and his contribution to bringing the show to Broadway, the unique nature of “Flower Drum Song” and its need to find many smaller producers to find funding, the possibility of “Flower Drum Song” returning to Broadway

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

64:57 - "Flower Drum Song” as a major milestone for her personal acting career, describing it as the first “New York thing” she did, her background prior to “Flower Drum Song,” her pursuits and work in film history

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:

69:38 - Closing statements about her sentimental attachment to the show, production funding, marketing and commercialization

Play segment Segment link

Partial Transcript:

Segment Synopsis:

Keywords:

Subjects:


Search This Index
Search Clear