By James V. Ruocco
A Korean-owned convenience store in Toronto's Regent Park neighborhood is the setting for Ins Choi's 2011 play "Kim's Convenience," which, as most people know, became the inspiration for the CBC Television comedy of the same that ran for five seasons from 2016 through April, 2021 in Canada and can now be viewed, much to the delight of "KC" fans everywhere, in its entirely on Netflix.
Following the lives of Appa and Umma, a married Korean couple living as immigrants in Toronto with their two children Janet and Jung, the play, as envisioned by Choi, addresses such universal themes as identity, race, prejudice, sacrifice, independence, monetary struggle, legacy and cultural significance using humor and pathos to illuminate one family's fight for survival in today's confused, uncertain, every-changing society.
"What is my story?" Abba tells his daughter Janet. "What is the story of me, Mr. Kim? My whole life is this store. Everybody knows this store, they know me. This store is my story. And if I just sell this store, then my story is over. Who is Mr. Kim? Nobody knows that. You take over the store, my story keeps going."
As "Kim's Convenience" evolves, Choi fills the room, the store and the theater with choice, positioned facts, observations and playful sprays of well-time humor and cleverness that deftly reveals his character's thoughts, feelings and everything else without a fancy, over-the-top flamboyance, thus opting instead, for story arcs, scenes and dialogue that are simplistic, profound, intimate and palpable.
No tricks. No boldness. No ticks. No gawps. No anchoring, No blatancy. No mumbling.
None of that.
"Kim's Convenience" is what it is.
Amusing.
Heartfelt.
Immersive.
Genuine.
Committed.
The Westport Country Playhouse staging of "Kim's Convenience" is sugar-rush, summer theatre escapism effectively driven with clear, standout energy, personality, and smooth, paraded storytelling.
Staging Choi's popular play, director Nelson T. Eusebio III brings both significance and purpose to the playwright's outlined storytelling without any form of overkill or preachiness. Jokes abound, as does running gags about language barriers, racial misconceptions and cultural differences, but underneath everything is defined with conversations and verbiage that reflect the conceit, character and emotional journey set forth by the playwright.
In any given scene, Eusebio uses closeness and intimacy to make "Kim's Convenience" gallop along steadily, always finding potential and worth in the moment itself, heightened by the right mood swing, glance, gesture, register, expression or bold new side to the character speaking or listening. Directorially, the working-class life of the characters is always front-and-center, drawn convincingly with visibly imposed movements, staging and blocking techniques that cement the knuckle and snap of Choi's story, its lifeline, its humor and its welcoming portrait of family life, from all very different, important angles.
"Kim's Convenience" stars David Shih as Appa, Cindy Im as Janet, Chuja Seo as Umma, Hyunmin Rhee as Jung and Eric R. Williams as Alex/Other Characters. Throughout the production, every performer gets his or her place in the spotlight, bringing the right illumination, individuality and conviction to the roles they are asked to portray within the confines of the actual playtext and its theatrical evolvement as shaped and molded by Eusebio.
There are laughs. There are tears. There are surprises. There are outbursts. There are conflicts. There are arguments. There are differences of opinion. There are twists, curves and turns. There's also a pacy vibe from all five performer which prompts a payoff of excitement and satisfaction that works to the play's advantage as does the realness, honesty and compassion reflective in their individual, decidedly different performances.
A lighthearted production with plenty of edge, humor, charm and familial illumination, "Kim's Convenience" is a sweet and satisfying comedy with many ideas, themes and motivations that are nicely woven and nurtured throughout Ins Choi's playtext. Featuring strong performances by the entire five-member cast, it works its magic particularly well during its relatively short 80-minute running time.
Breezy, fluid direction by Nelson T. Eusebio III heightens the play's appeal as does the story's on-going banter, absurdity, reflections, remembrances and very happy ending.
PS: "Kim's Convenience" also comes gift wrapped with a perfectly workable, inviting, well-crafted set design by You-Shin Chen featuring lots of products - both Korean and American - that following curtain calls - put you in a very buying mood for all those tasty, delicious treats right in front of your eyes on the Westport Country Playhouse stage.
Many, of course, can be found locally, or online via Korean grocery shops and retailers. Just have your charge card ready. You'll be glad you did.
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