By Edith Gong, 2019 CHCP Director

CHCP was honored to be selected as Palo Alto Player's Gives Back Community Partner for the production of Flower Drum Song, which ran from April 26 - May 12.  CHCP provided part of its traveling exhibit, which was on display throughout the three week run, in the lobby of the Lucie Stern Community Theater.  CHCP Officers, Directors, Trustees, Advisory members and general members attended each performance, while doing double duty as ambassadors sharing CHCP's mission, programs and information about the Chinese American Historical Museum.

PA Players offered CHCP members a $10 discount on all performances and that sparked a great deal of interest in their 13+ performances.  The run was an incredible success with the final week selling out. PA Players received critical acclaim from multiple media outlets including the Mercury News and Broadway World.  The all Asian cast was from all over the Bay Area - the female lead was a Senior from Homestead High School.  PA Players Managing Director, Elizabeth Santana, mentioned that this was the highest attendance for any performance all season and was pleased with the community support for the show.  She was impressed by the traveling exhibit and the professionalism and support of the CHCP Board members.

As a Gives Back Community Partner, CHCP received half of the donations collected during the entire run of Flower Drum Song.  Thanks to the hard work of 20 CHCP volunteers, we received a check from Palo Alto Players for $2,557 – one of the highest amounts ever raised for a community partner!

Thanks to all the CHCP volunteers and friends of members who attended the performances and to the volunteers who shared information about CHCP before, during intermission and after the performances.  Without your support, we wouldn’t have been so successful!