Back in 2013, the Soulpepper production of Kim’s Convenience was presented by Theatre Calgary and featured playwright Ins Choi himself. It makes this 2022 production, the closing production for Alberta Theatre Projects, and an Arts Cub Theatre Company production, a pretty great feat. Everyone knows the CBC Television series and has expectations of the characters, humour, and general vibe of the narrative. The pressure is on for this production, but the talented artists and director are up for the task.
I was fortunate to see Theatre Calgary’s production almost a decade ago and I remember being struck by finally seeing a story on stage that really captured the immigrant and first generation Canadian experience. This performance is even more poignant, though some aspects of the script have really not aged well.
The play tells of Mr. Kim (James Yi), – Appa – who runs a convenience store in the heart of Toronto. He spends most of his time running the store, when he isn’t badgering his daughter Janet (Brianna Kim) to call the police about illegally parked Japanese cars or deciding upon first glance who will steal from him. Janet is 30 years old and living with her family, while studying to be a photographer. Mrs. Kim (Maki Yi), – Umma – is trying to keep her family together and meets her son Jung (Howie Lai), who is estranged from Appa, at church occasionally. Jung is unhappy with his life and is trying to figure out his future. Devon Alexander plays all the customers of Kim’s Convenience, including Alex, childhood friend to Jung and love interest to Janet. This is a telling of an Korean-Canadian family grappling with the past, present and future. What’s the balance between honouring your family and their sacrifices while creating your own life and following your own dreams?
Kim’s Convenience hit me in my first generation Canadian heart. It manages to strike the balance in viewpoints, where you see the struggle of all the characters. Janet should be able to live her own dreams, but she also feels such duty towards her family. Appa sacrificed so much for his family, who will carry on his story? This delicate balance is credited to the artists on stage and the careful direction of Kaitlin Williams. James Yi’s Appa is so well balanced, he has made this character all his own. Kim’s Janet is passionate and it is such a contrast to Appa’s stoicism. Lai has really big shoes to fill and he does it with such grace as Jung. He manages to depict Jung’s humbleness and vulnerability in the few words that Jung is given. Maki Yi’s Umma keeps the narrative together and Alexander is funny and charming and versatile. Williams’ direction ensures that the performance shines, bringing out the soft moments in the play and not being afraid to let the quiet say more than pages and pages of words.
The set design by Carolyn Rapanos is so detailed, from the signage hanging from the ceiling, to the different products lining the shelves, it really captures the feel of the production. Chengyan Boon’s sound design emphasizes the thoughtful quiet moments in the play and Jonathan Kim’s lighting design gives the whole thing a convenience store feel.
The racial profiling, even if it is humourous has not aged well in this play and Janet’s age seems a bit off. It would make more sense for her to be in the space, in her life if she was in her 20s instead of in her 30s. But this production has managed to smooth out the flaws in the script, including the ending. It is a heartfelt, emotional production of a now familiar story.
Okay, see you.
Alberta Theatre Projects production of Kim’s Convenience runs until May 1st. More information is available online.
Photo Credit: Moonrider Productions