Kim's Convenience Reviews

Washington Post- Recommended

"...It's balanced with a lot of humor, which can be laugh-out-loud but is occasionally a bit broad, especially in the scenes involving the nonfamily characters played by Jonathan Del Palmer. (Characters literally twist each other's arms a few too many times.) We speed through Jung's malaise, and the ending is predictable, but we arrive there convincingly and movingly."

DC Theater Arts- Highly Recommended

"...Kudos to Director Aria Velz and the creative team, including Deb Sivigny (set designer), for creating an authentic convenience store vibe with Lotto tickets covering the tobacco products, tourist items like baseball caps and T-shirts, along with a variety of overpriced household items and a cold beverage case in the rear. If you didn't know any better, you might think you're at a 7/11 in the heart of DC's gentrifying Shaw neighborhood."

Talkin Broadway- Recommended

"...Director Aria Velz displays a light touch with the material, which inspired a Canadian television series that ran from 2016-2021 (episodes are available for streaming). The tone is light and empathetic, but undergirded with the uncertainty immigrants and first-generation residents may face regarding their role in society. Minjoo Kim's lighting design complements the set, largely naturalistic but with moments that highlight the drama."

Washington City Paper- Recommended

"...In crafting Kim's Convenience, playwright Ins Choi drew from his own childhood as the Korean Canadian son of immigrant parents to paint a vivid, heartfelt, and humorous portrayal of intergenerational family dynamics. At the center is Appa-whom critics are fond of calling an Asian Archie Bunker-his wife Umma (Tuy?t Th? Ph?m), estranged son Jung (Zion Jang), and aspiring photographer daughter Janet. Taking place primarily in the convenience store that Appa opened upon arriving in Canada, the play uses Appa's edgy humor, and the pushback he receives from customers and family, to highlight issues of race, bias, generational gaps, and the stressors particular to immigrant families."

MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended

"...Since the show is sold out, it can be assumed that many may be familiar with the charming and award-winning Netflix comedy "Kim's Convenience" which began as a play written by Ins Choi. It was performed at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival before it was adapted and ran for five seasons on Netflix (2018-2021). This play is sweet, hopeful, hysterical, and especially well-done in the hands of this excellent cast."

BroadwayWorld- Highly Recommended

"...In Kim's Convenience, Appa is close to retirement from his days behind the cash register. But, retirement isn't cheap, and Appa needs to have his "exit plan" as Mr. Lee calls it. He believes that his daughter, Janet, would be the perfect person to take over the store. However, Appa gets into a dilemma as he is offered a buyout from Lee, who is very interested in profiting off of the gentrification taking over Regent Park in Toronto. Olney Theatre's production stars Stan Kang as Appa, Tuy?t Th? Ph?m as Umma, Justine "Icy" Moral as Janet, Jonathan Del Palmer as Alex/Mr. Lee/Rich/Mike, and Zion Jang as Jung."