Review: KIM'S CONVENIENCE at TheatreSquared

The coolest place to hang out in Fayetteville is definitely Dickson Street. It has George's Majestic Lounge, which hosts so many awesome bands, Walton Arts Center, which brings in national touring companies, and my favorite- TheatreSquared, which has KIM'S CONVENIENCE showing through Sunday, Feb. 26. Written by Ins Choi and directed by Nelson Eusebio, this comedy definitely brings the laughs but also tugs at your heart with the realness of family expectations and desires. This performance brings out honest emotions and is worth seeing again!

If you haven't seen the Netflix series like myself, KIM'S CONVENIENCE is set in a convenience store in Canada and ran by Mr. Kim (Greg Watanabe), who has help from his daughter Janet (Natalie Kim). Mr. Kim wants to teach Janet how to run the store, so she can take over, but she wants to be a photographer. As their day progresses, random people (all played by Brandon Jones) come into the store: a guy who gets a lesson about the difference between Korea and Japan, a Jamaican guy who is caught shoplifting, Mr. Lee, who wants to buy the store, and Police Officer Alex, who responds to a 911 call about a suspicious Honda that is parked illegally. Alex happens to be Jung's (Eston J. Fung) childhood friend. Janet tells Alex that Jung hasn't been home since he was sixteen, and they proceed to flirt with each other which turns into a date. However, Jung does visit his mother Umma (Karen Tsen Lee) at church. As this story plays out, there are laughs and hilarious situations, but there are also hard conversations and, ultimately, redemption.

This cast is amazing! They pull you into their story and make you think you are part of their life. As a half Taiwanese girl, I felt very connected to the family, and they made me miss my mother. Asian expectations from parents to children are a real thing. Lee was so loving, maternal, and expressive. Even when she was speaking in Korean, you knew what she was saying by the way she said it. Fung was sympathetic as the wayward son. He made you want to root for a happier life for Jung. Kim was funny and relatable as Janet. I saw myself in her when she would explain to her father that she wanted to pursue her own dreams instead of what he wanted for her. Jones was astounding with changing his multiple roles and making them unique. Every character was different and fresh. However, the powerhouse performance came from Watanabe as Mr. Kim. He was hilarious, he was commanding, and his emotions could be felt in the back of the room. The whole cast had great chemistry and were brilliant storytellers.

Of course, this fantastic show couldn't go on without the behind-the-scenes people who helped create KIM'S CONVIENENCE. These magic workers are: Eileen Rivera, Associate Director; Yoo-Shin Chen, Scenic Designer; Lux Haac, Costume Designer; Marie Yokoyama, Lighting Designer; Connor Wang, Sound Designer; Megan Smith, Stage Manager; Robert Ford, Artistic Director; and Martin Miller, Executive Director/Producer.

If you haven't seen TheatreSquared, you need to come see this artistic facility. It- Is- BEAUTIFUL!!!! According to their website, "TheatreSquared's architecturally significant, 50,000-square-foot new permanent home, winner of the 2021 International Architecture Award, 2020 American Architecture Award and NY AIA Honor Award, combines two intimate theatres, an open-all-day bar/café, artist housing, offices, production workshops, community meeting spaces, and outdoor spaces at three levels." I have been here several times, and I have still yet to experience all of it. I need a tour! (hint hint)

Not only does TheatreSquared offer wonderful shows throughout the year, they also have a first-rate outreach program for our budding thespians. They have Spring Break and Summer Week Long Camps, Leadership Development for Teens in the Arts, and a Playwright competition supporting the next generation of Arkansas writers. For more information, email EDUCATION@THEATRESQUARED.ORG.

For tickets to KIM'S CONVENIENCE, visit their website at https://www.theatre2.org. Coming up next is Sanctuary City, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Martyna Majok.

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