Rave Reviews for 'Kim's Convenience' at the McCarter in Princeton

The play about a Korean immigrant family's convenience store in Toronto has impressed critics with its humor and complexity.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 10:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The play 'Kim's Convenience', which tells the story of a Korean immigrant family running a convenience store in Toronto, has received rave reviews for its production at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. The play, which was originally a 2012 stage production and later adapted into a successful Canadian TV series, is now back on stage with the playwright Ins Choi playing the lead role of the patriarch Appa. Critics have praised the play's ability to capture the complexity of the immigrant experience and family dynamics with humor and nuance.

Why it matters

The positive reception for 'Kim's Convenience' at the McCarter stands in contrast to the recent negative reviews for other high-profile theatrical productions about the immigrant experience. The play's success demonstrates the demand for authentic, well-crafted stories that resonate with diverse audiences and provide a counterpoint to the often one-dimensional portrayals of immigrants in media.

The details

The McCarter production of 'Kim's Convenience' has been praised for its lively and efficient storytelling, with the playwright Ins Choi delivering a standout performance as the patriarch Appa. Critics have noted the play's ability to balance humor and more serious themes, capturing the complexities of family dynamics and the immigrant experience. The production has also been commended for its eye-catching set design that immerses the audience in the world of the family's convenience store.

  • The play is running at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey through Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The McCarter has added two additional Tuesday performances on February 3 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. due to high demand.

The players

Ins Choi

The playwright of 'Kim's Convenience' and the actor playing the lead role of Appa, the patriarch of the Korean immigrant family.

Kelly Seo

The actress playing the role of Janet, the daughter of the Korean immigrant family.

Brandon McKnight

The actor playing multiple supporting roles in the production, including a police officer and a suitor to Janet.

Ryan Jinn

The actor playing the role of Jung, the son of the Korean immigrant family.

Esther Chung

The actress playing the role of Umma, the mother of the Korean immigrant family.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Choi pours himself into his creation. Appa's English is broken, but his spirit is robust. Although Choi is often hilarious, his more somber moments effectively give us pause to wonder about Appa's complexity.”

— Patrick Maley, NJ Advance Media critic

“It has taste and a knack for making palpable points without the overstated drama or excesses that plague so many American works. I call that knack 'Canadian assurance'.”

— Neal Zoren, U.S. 1 critic

“Choi's timing as actor and author is exceptional. He anchors his play while generously giving others, especially Kelly Seo as his daughter (Janet), Brandon McKnight in a quartet of roles ranging from cop on the beat to suitor to Janet, and Ryan Jinn as his son and recent father (Jung).”

— Neal Zoren, U.S. 1 critic

What’s next

The McCarter Theatre has announced two additional Tuesday performances of 'Kim's Convenience' on February 3 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. due to high demand for tickets.

The takeaway

The positive critical reception for 'Kim's Convenience' at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton demonstrates the audience's appetite for authentic, nuanced stories about the immigrant experience. The play's ability to balance humor and complexity in its portrayal of a Korean immigrant family has resonated with critics and audiences, providing a refreshing counterpoint to the often one-dimensional depictions of immigrants in media.