Creator of Kim’s Convenience to perform in Rosebud

By Laureen F. Guenther Times Contributor

Ins Choi, creator of the play and TV show Kim’s Convenience, will be in Rosebud’s BMO Studio Stage on Nov. 3 to perform Ins Choi: Songs, Stories and Spoken Words.
“I sit on a stool with my guitar and perform my humorous songs and poems, interspersed with funny personal anecdotes from my life,” said Choi.
He said his songs, stories and poems are about topics such as the root of his name (My Name is Ins and My Weird Name), growing up as the son of a pastor (My Dad was a Preacher Man), choosing to be an actor (My Mom Wanted me to be a Preacher Man but I became an Actor), and the journey of writing Kim’s Convenience for the stage and for TV.
Japanese Cartoon, Bruce Lee’s Best Friend, 1980s Sitcom, Birkenstock Jesus, God is Calling, But They Did, and Mine Eyes are Lean are also in his playlist.
“Before TV writing and playwriting, when I was still in acting school, most of my writing consisted of songs and poems,” said Choi. “And I would perform them at open mic nights in bars in downtown Toronto. So, I guess (this show) began back then.”
When he performed the show in Saskatoon in September Choi said audience members told him “how much they loved it, and said that it was funny, charming and inspirational.” Besides being entertained, Choi said he hopes audience members will feel inspired to create.
In addition to the two shows in Rosebud, Choi is performing the show in Calgary on Nov. 1 and in Edmonton at the Chinook Theatre Festival in February.
Ins Choi: Songs, Stories and Spoken Words will be performed twice on Rosebud’s BMO Studio Stage: Saturday, Nov. 3, once at 4:30 p.m. and again at 9:45 p.m. The late show will be followed by a talkback. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 1-800-267-7553 or rosebudtheatre.com.