Kim’s Convenience at Ahmanson Theatre

“Everything theatre should be: well written, well designed, and well acted.” – The Globe and Mail

It started out as a play, which strongly reminds of that one iconic immigrant-owned shop we all have fond memories of; it was adapted into a massively popular five-season television series for CBC Television; it became a staple on Netflix with its massive international audience; and now it is returning to its theatrical roots – and it makes for top-shelf entertainment! 

Playwright and actor Ins Choi wrote Kim’s Convenience as “a love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada their home” – and it rings true in more ways than one. Not only is pure Asian humour packed on every shelf, but it oozes with irresistible charm, lovable characters that we feel we know ourselves, superb acting, and heartfelt moments that hits home. In short, Kim’s Convenience is retail therapy in its best form – the kind you can indulge in over and over again, from the comfort of your seat in the audience! 

The best of it all though, is that the small play about the Korean-Canadian family-run convenience store that went big is coming right to your doorstep, Los Angeles, and you’re in for an amazing night filled with the best popcorn theatre ever! 

That’s right – Kim’s Convenience is back on stage, and coming to the Ahmanson Theatre this season as part of its North American Tour!

Kim’s Convenience Tickets

Tickets are on sale now directly from the Ahmanson Theatre’s box office, and rumour has it that the lines are queuing out of the door for those premier seats on offer. Will they be available much longer? Definitely not. So head on down to the Ahmanson Theatre to secure your top seats to the most charming production of the year! Alternatively, if you’re all about convenience – in more ways than one, simply click on the ‘Buy Tickets’ link to be redirected to the world’s most reliable and efficient online marketplace TicketSqueeze.com. All it takes is a few clicks, and you’ll have your seat in the bag! It doesn’t get more simple – and convenient – than this! 

“Heart-warming and refreshing!” – Broadway World

SYNOPSIS

Those who are familiar with the side-splitting and award-winning humorous television series, will know and adore the Korean-Canadian family of Kim’s Convenience. While there may be some similarities, this time around the hilarious feel-good visit to Mr. Kim’s store in Toronto’s Regent Park neighborhood offers a somewhat different experience. 

Mr. Kim – or Appa, and his wife, Mrs. Kim, affectionately known as Umma, hopes that their family-run convenience store will provide a future for their daughter Janet. When the news of Regent Park being gentrified with upmarket developments drops – that includes the erection of a Wal-Mart, the future of Kim’s Convenience hangs in the balance. Jung, Mr. and Mrs. Kim’s rebellious runaway son with whom Mr Kim hasn’t spoken to in years, returns – and brings reconciliation, and hope that Kim’s Convenience might just survive. 

Kim’s Convenience is a theatrical experience that sets out to captivate both theatregoing audiences and couch-bound television-fanatics with its unique blend of humour and deeper dramatic tones – and you’ll have to settle for wanting to see it a second, third, and even fourth time! 

“The top-notch production brims with fine, memorable performances that capture the joy and sadness of their characters.” – Laguna Playhouse

CREATIVE TEAM

Ins Choi’s iconic play about Mr. Kim and his family have been entertaining the world for 15 years – both in theatre and on television. Kim’s Convenience has come full-circle, and this season’s North American tour will be headed up by a world-renowned creative team. 

Visionary director Weyni Mengesha (Da Kink In My Hair, A Streetcar Named Desire, Father Comes Home From The Wars, Queen Goneril, Power Of Sail) has breathed life into the ultimate retail therapy experience once more, with the feel of a live television studio recording – just without the cameras and microphones. The creative team also includes the talents of set designer Joanna Yu, costume designer Ming Wong, lighting designer Wen-Ling Liao, video and projection designer Nicole Eun-Ju Bell, sound designer and composer Fan Zhang, and assistant director Aaron Jan. 

“Extraordinary! A timeless, beautiful, and ode to the immigrant experience.” – Toronto Star

CAST

Audiences can expect it all when it comes to the cast: superb acting, well-developed and lovable characters, and energy that reminds of a well-oiled machine. 

Playwright Ins Choi will be portraying the role of Appa (Death of a Salesman, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, You Can’t Take It With You), with Esther Chung as Umma, Kelly Seo as Janet, Ryan Jinn as Jung, Brandon McKnight as Rich, Alex, Mr. Lee, and Mike, as well as understudies James Yi, Frank Chung, Ngabo Nabea, and Rosie Simon. 

“The cast might be small but it really is mighty!” – Theatre and Tonic

HISTORY & LEGACY

The world first met the Kims in 2011 at the Toronto Fringe Festival, selling out the Bathurst Street Theatre. In 2012 Kim’s Convenience was produced by Soulpepper Theatre, becoming the company’s most successful production. From there, Kim’s Convenience did a fair bit of touring, and in 2016 the first season of the television adaptation was aired on CBC Television, while the Netflix appearance commenced in 2018. 

To date, Kim’s Convenience has racked up four Canadian Screen Awards, two Bell Media Awards, and an ACTRA Award. 

“When ‘Kim’s Convenience’ leans into the comedy, it truly soars, and these are the moments that you will still be laughing about on the way home.” – East Midlands Theatre

THE AHMANSON THEATRE

Theatregoers from all around the West Coast have this remarkable, exquisite venue on their list of favorites. 

The Ahmanson Theatre, one of the four main venues of the Los Angeles Music Centre, has been bringing the best of the best in live entertainment to Los Angeles for nearly six decades – from Broadway productions to music concerts, from comedy shows to dance extravaganzas, from straight plays to musicals. The venue’s stunning “wider than it is deep” auditorium, gorgeous décor in shades of purple and gold, and breathtaking three-story lobby with its magnificent art collection that includes the Acrobat Freeway sculpture by Peter Shire, is everything one could possibly hope and dream for. On top of that, the Ahmanson Theatre also has some of the best lighting and sound systems around, fantastic amenities that cater for every single want and need, pin-drop acoustics that takes every experience to the next level, and perfect sight-lines made possible by its smart layout as designed by Welton Becket & Associates. 

The Ahmanson Theatre features luxurious seating for 2,000 patrons across an orchestra floor, a mezzanine, and balcony, each divided into two sections, as well as boxes.  

“Kim’s Convenience is an all-round superlative show.” – Applause! Meter