The book of “Flower Drum Song" By Oscar Hammerstein II and Joseph Fields is based on a novel by C.Y. Lee. Oscar wrote the lyrics which were set to music by Richard Rodgers. When the show was presented on Broadway it was directed by film star Gene Kelly. After the tryouts including the one in Boston which an enthusiastic Andre Kostelanetz attended, the show opened at New York’s, St. James Theatre on December the 1st 1958. It was a hit staying on broadway for Eighteen Months and at London’s Palace Theatre for over twelve months, shortly to be followed by the movie version. Andre Kostelanetz began recording his instrumental versions of the songs a fortnight before the Broadway opening. The recordings are innovative because they incorporate real life sound effects. At the finish we are treated to excerpts from five more Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals all performed in the magical Kostelanetz style.