COME VISIT "KIM'S CONVENIENCE" FOR HEALTHY DOSE OF LAUGHTER AT WCP

Playwright Ins Choi was born in Korea but grew up in Toronto, Canada and used many of the stories of his family and friends to fashion his charming comedy “Kim’s Convenience” at Westport Country Playhouse until Sunday, July 17. Not a good student like his sisters, he candidly revealed at a recent talk back he wasn’t accepted to any colleges and his mother despaired he would never find a woman to marry. Never fear, after a few false starts, Ino Choi has found his voice, writing an outstanding Asian-Canadian play for the Toronto Fringe Festival and winning the competition. “Kim's Convenience” has also enjoyed five successful seasons on Netflix and this production at Westport is the first American offering. Mr. Kim, or Appa as he is affectionately known, is the king of his store and is dictatorial about the way it is run. In the hands of David Shih, he is convinced he will not sell out to the condo conglomeration that wants to buy his store. He is also not shy about giving lessons to his daughter Janet, his dedicated child Cindy Im. While he harbors dreams of Janet running his small empire, she wants to be a photographer. Mr, Kim’s passion for teaching continues when a neighborhood cop Alex, a sweet Eric R. Williams, arrives and discovers his old friend Janet on site. Soon Mr. Kim is exercising his decisive conditions on both unsuspecting victims. Meanwhile Mrs. Kim, Umma , in the hands of Chuja Seo, is at church secretly meeting with their estranged son Jung, a contrite Hyunmin Rhee, whose youthful mistakes caused him to leave home. Will Mr Kim sell his beloved store that is his life? Will he convince his chid to take over as proprietor? Can the family reconcile all their differences? For tickets($40-70), call Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport at 203-227-4177 or 888-927-7529or online at www.westportplayhouse.org. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Wednesday t 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Proof of vaccination must be shown and masks are required. Come shop at Kim’s Convenience but be forewarned that Mr. Kim will punish any thieves who steal from his family from the fully stocked shelves designed by You-Shin Chen, with props by Sean Sanford, all under the capable direction of Nelson T. Eusebio III. Come experience this full of familial love and heart play for yourself and discover how similar we are.