Alexandra Silber, who adapted the book for “Brigadoon” and the Pasadena Playhouse; and David Henry Hwang, who adapted the book for “Flower Drum Song” at James Irvine Japanese Garden. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Three classic musicals from Broadway’s “Golden Age” arrive in L.A. this spring, with “Flower Drum Song,” “The Sound of Music” and “Brigadoon” running concurrently through mid-June.
Several revivals have been updated by contemporary playwrights to address outdated elements and reflect modern sensibilities, exploring themes of authenticity, diversity and political relevance that speak to today’s audiences.
The productions demonstrate how these classic musicals, originally crafted to address the issues of their era, remain timeless in their exploration of identity and purpose.
It’s raining classic musical revivals in Los Angeles, with three shows penned by Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe poised to run concurrently this spring.
These mid-century dream teams revolutionized American theater by popularizing the integrated musical, a form which leveraged classic operetta elements like song and dance as narrative tools.