Cast Announced for KIM'S CONVENIENCE at Segal Theatre

By: Feb. 13, 2017
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Kim's Convenience, the most celebrated and widely seen new Canadian play in recent history that launched the hit CBC sitcom of the same name, makes its way to Quebec for the very first time with an exclusive two week run at the Segal Centre for Performing Arts. Ins Choi's personal, funny, and touching story has been resonating with audiences from coast to coast with its honest portrayal of the Kim family and their life running a neighbourhood convenience store. This special presentation will be on the Segal stage from March 8 to 19 only.

In Kim's Convenience, Korean immigrant Mr. Kim (Appa) works hard to support his wife and children with his Toronto convenience store. As he evaluates his future, he faces both a changing neighbourhood landscape and the gap between his values and those of his Canadian-born children. Choi writes from personal experience, giving this award-winning play a feeling of integrity and authenticity. A fractured buT Loving family, led by the inimitable Appa, confronts an uncertain future while learning to forgive the past.

"After a performance of Kim's Convenience at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival, my parents came up to me, hugged me and said, 'We are very proud of you. Thank you.' Kim's Convenience is my love letter to them and to all 1st generation immigrants who call Canada their home," said Playwright Ins Choi.

The Montreal production will feature original cast members Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon reprising their roles as Appa and Umma Kim. Lee was twice nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a principal role and winner of the Toronto Theatre Critics' Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Appa in Kim's Convenience. Yoon, a Gemini Award nominee, has appeared on stage and screen. She was recently in The Time Traveler's Wife, Orphan Black, and the CBC mini-series Dragon Boys. Both actors currently appear on the CBC/Thunderbird/Soulpepper production of Kim's Convenience and will be coming back to the Segal stage in the roles they originated. Their daughter Janet will be played by Rosie Simon (theatre credits include Urinetown at the Firehall Arts Centre, and The King and I at the Gateway Theatre) and their wayward son Jung will be played by Dora Award winner Richard Lee (his many credits include Acquiesce for Factory/fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre, and CBC's Baroness von Sketch Show). Ronnie Rowe Jr. (seen on stage in The Wizard of Oz, and Grease, and on screen in Murdoch Mysteries, and Saving Hope) rounds out this ensemble cast.

"Kim's Convenience has delighted audiences around the country with its hilarious and poignant story. I'm so excited that Montreal will finally get the chance to see what all the hype is about and rejoice in this Canadian classic," said Segal Centre Artistic and Executive Director Lisa Rubin.

Originally created as a vignette in 2005 under a playwriting unit in the Fu-GEN Asian Canadian Theatre Company, Kim's Conveniencebecame the smash hit of the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival, taking Best New Play honours. It opened Soulpepper Theatre Company's 2012 season, going on to be remounted multiple times. The production was nominated for two Dora Mavor Moore Awards, including Best New Play, and received the Toronto Theatre Critics' Award for Best New Canadian Play. It has been touring Canada under the Soulpepper banner and in 2017 it will be making its debut Off-Broadway at New York's Pershing Square Signature Center in July as part of Soulpepper's first NYC season. Ins Choi recently adapted Kim's Convenience into a hit TV comedy series on the CBC, featuring Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon. The television show has been nominated for 11 Canadian Screen Awards including Best Comedy Series, and Best Performance nods for both Lee and Yoon.

 

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