Critic’s Choice

* Flower Drum Song (Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A., [213] 628-2772). Sandra Allen, above left, is Linda and Lea Salonga is Mei-Li, a Chinese refugee fresh off the boat in San Francisco, in David Henry Hwang’s adaptation of the musical. “Hwang turns the 1958 Rodgers & Hammerstein bauble into a backstage culture-clash tuner about a Chinese Opera traditionalist (Tzi Ma); his hep son (Jose Llana), who’s into Vegas-style revue; and the Chinese refugee (Lea Salonga). The kitsch doesn’t always jibe with Hwang’s more serious intentions, but director Robert Longbottom’s cast has several ringers going for it.” (M.P.) Tue.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 2:30 p.m. Also Dec. 31, 8 p.m.; Nov. 28, Dec. 13, 20, 27, Jan. 10, 2:30 p.m.; Dec. 9, 30, Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m. Dark tonight, Dec. 4, 25, Jan. 1. Ends Jan. 13. $55-$60.