CONVENIENCE
HERE LIES LOVE
Concept, Music, & Lyrics by David Byrne
Music by Fatboy Slim
Choreography by William Carlos Angulo
Directed by Snehal Desai
FEBRUARY 11 – APRIL 5, 2026
MARK TAPER FORUM
Soulpepper Theatre Company & Adam Blanshay Productions
In association with American Conservatory Theater
KIM'S CONVENIENCE
by Ins Choi
Directed by Weyni Mengesha
MARCH 21 – APRIL 19, 2026
AHMANSON THEATRE
PRIMARY TRUST
by Eboni Booth
Directed by Knud Adams
MAY 20 – JUNE 28, 2026
MARK TAPER FORUM
MAMMA MIA!
Music & Lyrics by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Book by Catherine Johnson
Directed by Phylida Lloyd
JUNE 23 – JULY 19, 2026
AHMANSON THEATRE
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CAST
CAST
Appa ..................................................................................................................................
Janet
Umma ........................................................................................................................
Jung
Ins Choi
Kelly Seo
Esther Chung
Ryan Jinn
Rich, Alex, Mr. Lee, Mike ..................................................................................... Brandon McKnight
Appa Alternate
Jung Understudy
James Yi
Frank Chung
Rich, Alex, Mr. Lee, Mike Understudy ............................................................................ Ngabo Nabea
Janet / Umma Understudy Rosie Simon
KIM'S CONVENIENCE RUNS 90 MINUTES WITHOUT AN INTERMISSION.
Latecomers will be seated at the discretion of management. Patrons with disabilities: wheelchair seating is available in a variety of theatre locations. When ordering tickets, please indicate any special needs. For our hearing-impaired guests, the theatre is equipped with listening devices; please contact an usher for assistance.
DIRECTOR
FRANK CHUNG
KELLY SEO
INS CHOI
NGABO NABEA
ESTHER CHUNG
BRANDON MCKNIGHT
RYAN JINN
ROSIE SIMON
WEYNI MENGESHA
JAMES YI
INS CHOI (Playwright, Appa, he/him) was born in Korea but grew up and currently lives in Toronto, Canada with his wife and two children. His debut play, Kim’s Convenience, won the Best New Play Award and the Patron’s Pick at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. It then launched Soulpepper Theatre Company’s 2012 season, toured across Canada, and was adapted into a TV series of the same name with Thunderbird Entertainment on CBC and Netflix for five seasons. Ins was a writer, executive producer, and co-creator of the TV series. He also wrote the plays Subway Stations of the Cross, Bad Parent, Son of a Preacherman, and was part of the collective that created the plays, Alligator Pie, re(birth): ee cummings in song, Window on Toronto (Soulpepper), and 2000 Candles (Brookstone). He taught screenwriting at the National Screen Institute and the Canadian Film Centre and offers his writing workshop from time to time. @choiinsurp
KELLY SEO (Janet, she/her) was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in North York, ON. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience (the role of Janet). Select Other theatre: The Melville Boys (Foster Festival), Kim’s Convenience (Grand Theatre), Jenny’s House of Joy (Foster Festival), Twelfth Night (St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival), Kim’s Convenience (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Hana Hashimoto the Sixth Violin (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Fables for the Future (Clay and Paper Theatre). Select film & television: If I Go Missing, In the Dark, Most Dangerous Game, Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan, Designated Survivor. Other: Graduate of York University’s Theatre Program. This is for my Umma and Appa. 엄마, 아빠 감사하고 사랑해요. @kellyjseo
ESTHER CHUNG (Umma, she/her) was born in South Korea and raised in Thornhill, Ontario. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience (the role of Umma) Other Theatre: World Premiere of Bigfoot! (Port Stanley Festival Theatre); Calendar Girls; Noises Off; Five Alarm; One Slight Hitch; Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Film & Television: Cross; The Horror of Dolores Roach; The Boys; Children Ruin Everything; Shelved; Let’s Get Merried. @estherthechung
RYAN JINN 진윤섭 (Jung, he/him) was born in Los Angeles and raised in Vancouver, BC. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience (the role of Jung). Other Theatre: Kim’s Convenience (Arts Club Vancouver); An Assertive Girl (Pull Festival). Film & Television: Reginald The Vampire; Kim’s Convenience; Van Helsing; The Good Doctor; Charmed; 2 Hearts; Arrow; Legends of Tomorrow; The Man In The High Castle. Other: Animation: Cocomelon Lane. Award Winning Short Films: So-Ri (소리); Songbird @ryanjinnstagram
BRANDON MCKNIGHT (Rich / Alex / Mr. Lee / Mike; he/him) is a Canadian actor with Jamaican roots, born and raised in Toronto, ON. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience (the roles of Rich, Alex, Mr. Lee, and Mike) Other Theatre: Judas Noir (Tarragon Theatre); Of Mice And Men (Unit 102 Theatre). Selected Film & Television: The Flash (CW); The Shape of Water (FOX Searchlight); Morningside (Elevation Pictures); Most Dangerous Game (Tubi); Kim’s Convenience (CBC). Other: McKnight is an alumnus of the prestigious CFC Actors Conservatory founded by Norman Jewison (class of 2018). Manager is Daniel Abrams at OAZ and agent is Innovative Artists. @mrmcknight
JAMES YI (Appa Alternate, he/him). Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, James now calls Vancouver home where he has been acting for almost two decades. Having been in numerous productions of this award winning play as well as playing Jimmy Young on the TV series, James is thrilled to be joining the Pemberley Productions cast to reprise the role of Appa. Some of his Film and TV credits are: The Interview, Kim's Convenience, Gabby Duran, Siren and Flashpoint. His upcoming films include: Any Other World, Win Lose or Die, Surrender, His & Hers, and Devil in the Dorm. James is an avid golfer who can be spotted on golf courses usually in treelines and bunkers.
FRANK CHUNG ( Jung Understudy, he/him ) was born in Toronto and raised in Mississauga, ON. Other Theatre: The New Canadian Curling Club (Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Magnus Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2018 & 2023, Romeo and Juliet (Canadian Stage/Dream in High Park), Kim’s Convenience (Thousand Islands Playhouse), Timothy Findley’s The Wars (Grand Theatre), Romeo and Juliet (Classical Theatre Project). Film & Television: Bakugan (Netflix), Lyla in the Loop (PBS Kids), Ginny and Georgia (Netflix), Dancing Through the Shadow (Independent Feature), Age of Samurai Battle for Japan (Smithsonian Canada/Netflix). Other: Graduate of York University, BFA Theatre, Class of 2018.
NGABO NABEA (Rich / Alex / Mr. Lee / Mike Understudy; he/ him). Though born in Toronto, Ngabo Nabea spent much of his childhood travelling and studying abroad, before returning to study performance at Ryerson University. Soulpepper 2025: understudy for Mike/Mr. Lee/Alex/Rich. For Soulpepper: Three Sisters. Other theatre: Twisted (Factory Theatre), The Number’s Game (Storefront Theatre), I and You (Globe Theatre), Fences (Grand Theatre), King Lear (Shakespeare Bash’d), Romeo and Juliet (Classical Theatre Project).
ROSIE SIMON (Janet / Umma Understudy; she/her) is a Korean Canadian actor for stage and screen. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience. For Soulpepper: Kim’s Convenience, Cowboy
Versus Samurai. Other Theatre: Dinner With the Duchess (HFN/ Crow’s), The Chinese Lady (Studio 180/fu-Gen/Crow’s), The Three Musketeers (RMTC), Lady Sunrise (Factory), Aquiesce (Factory), John (RMTC), Urinetown (Firehall), The King and I (Gateway), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Arts Club). Film/TV: Slasher: Solstice, DOC, Star Trek: Discovery, Motive, Goodwitch, Killjoys, Wynonna Earp: Vengeance, Carter, Hudson and Rex, Shadowhunters, The Face I Can’t Forget, To Have and to Holiday, That Lion Show.
WEYNI MENGESHA (Director) is a stage and screen director who has directed acclaimed productions nationally and internationally, including ‘da Kink in my Hair, Kim’s Convenience, A Streetcar Named Desire, Queen Goneril, and Power of Sail. She has directed across Canada, London, New York, and Los Angeles, receiving numerous Dora Mavor Moore Awards, two NAACP nominations and recognition from the Drama League (New York) and Drama Critics Circle (Los Angeles). In 2024, she received the Trailblazer Award at the CBC Legacy Awards, and after that the 2025 Johanna Metcalf Performing Arts Award. A committed educator, mentor, and producer of youth arts initiatives, Weyni was the artistic director of the A.M.Y (Artists Mentoring Youth) Project for seven years and co-founded a platform for young Ethiopian and Eritrean artists. She has trained young artists at the National Theatre School of Canada, Canadian Film Centre, and The Soulpepper Academy. @weynimengesha
JOANNA YU 余頌恩 (Set Designer) was born in Hong Kong, raised in Thornhill, Ontario. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience. For Soulpepper: ‘da Kink in My Hair, Three Sisters Other Theatre: Mirvish Productions, Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, National Arts Centre, Canadian Opera Company, Canadian Stage, Arts Club, Belfry Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Citadel Theatre, RMTC, The Grand, Tapestry Opera, Factory Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times, Tarragon, Obsidian, fu-Gen, Cahoots, Nightwood, and many others. Other: Recipient of a Dora Award, The Virginia and Myrtle Cooper Award for Costume Design, and the Pauline McGibbon Award. Joanna is a member of the Associated Designers of Canada (ADC659) and sits on the Board of Directors. joannayudesign.com @joannayudesign
MING WONG 黄慧明 (Costume Designer) is an award-winning Toronto costume designer working in theatre, dance, opera, and film & television for over 15 years. She is a graduate from the Ontario College of Art & Design. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience, A Strange Loop. For Soulpepper: The Master Plan, Three Sisters, De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail, Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Pipeline. Other Theatre: Wights; Rosmersholm; The Wrong Bashir; Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812; The Master Plan; Red Velvet; Uncle Vanya; The Wedding Party; Crow’s Theatre; Charlie & The Chocolate Factory YPT; Salesman
in China; Rent; Hamlet-911 (Stratford Festival); Once, TIP, Things I Know to be True (Company Theatre/Mirvish); Peter’s Final Flight (Ross Petty Productions); The Wizard of Oz Panto; The Inheritance; Public Enemy; Canadian Stage; Is God Is (Canadian Stage/Obsidian/Necessary Angel); Candida; Just to Get Married; Trouble in Mind; Shaw Festival; Hansel und Gretel (Canadian Opera Company); The Color Purple (Citadel Theatre/RMTC). UPCOMING: Trident Moon; Flex; Crow’s; Wait Until Dark, Shaw. Other: 2021 Virginia & Myrtle Cooper Award recipient, 2 time Dora Award Winner. mingwongdesign.com. @mingwongdesign
WEN-LING LIAO 廖雯伶 (Lighting Designer) was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. She is based in the Bay Area, USA. Her works can be seen across USA including American Conservatory Theater, Hartford Stage, Theaterworks Silicon Valley, Denver Performing Arts Center, People’s Light Theater, Marin Theater Company, California Shakespeare Theater, Actors Theater of Louisville, Dallas Theater Center, Huntington Theater Company, Merrimack Repertory Theatre, Magic Theater, Center Repertory and San Francisco Playhouse. She got her BA from National Taiwan University and her MFA from University of California, San Diego. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience (Soulpepper debut). wenlingliao.com
FAN ZHANG 张颿 (Sound Designer) is a New York-based sound designer and composer, recognized by the Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Henry Hewes, and Audelco Awards. Recent NYC credits include At the Wedding (Lincoln Center), Good Bones (Public), Jordans (Public), Trophy Boys (MCC), The Far Country (Atlantic Theater), This Land Was Made (Vineyard Theatre), Snow in Midsummer (Classic Stage), Paris (Atlantic Theatre), Our Dear Dead Drug Lord (Second Stage), Pumpgirl (Irish Rep), Suicide Forest (Ma-Yi & A.R.T), and more. Regional: American Conservatory Theatre, Berkeley Rep, Arena Stage, Shakespeare Theatre DC, Steppenwolf, Seattle Rep, Geffen Playhouse, Long Wharf, Alliance, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Studio Theatre D.C., Yale Rep, Huntington, and Old Globe. Faculty at Purdue University. Education: MFA, Yale School of Drama. Member of TSDCA and Local 829, IATSE. fanzhangsound.com
NICOLE EUN-JU BELL (Projection Designer) is a mixed-race multidisciplinary artist born and raised in Toronto, ON. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience. For Soulpepper: Assistant Projection Design: Billie, Sarah, and Ella: Revolutionary Women in Jazz (2023). Other Theatre: White Muscle Daddy (Buddies in Bad Times), Perfect Bowl of Pho (Kick & Push), Encounters at the Edge of the Woods (Hart House). As an Assistant Designer: The Cave (Luminato/JMar Electric), Ephemeral Artifacts (Theatre Passe Muraille). Other: As an XR artist, she performed in award winning VR show Uncanny Alley: A New Day (Ferryman Collective). @rodneydiverlus
DAVID S. FRANKLIN (Production Stage Manager) has stage managed over 100 productions for CTG over the past 30 years. Favorites include Baz Luhrmann’s La Bohème, Two Unrelated Plays by David Mamet, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo, God of Carnage, Red, Bent, Linda Vista, and King James. At the Pasadena Playhouse David just finished Amadeus. Highlights include Eureka Day, Inherit the Wind, The Father, and Sisterella. Los Angeles Theatre Center in its heyday from 1985–1990. New York: Public Theater. Tours: Europe - Quotations from a Ruined City (with Reza Abdoh’s Dar a Luz company).
ANGELA MAE BAGO (Assistant Stage Manager) is a proud Filipino-Canadian woman who’s manifesting a fantastic life thanks to the nurture of her partner, family, and friends. She’d like to shoutout her cousin and partner, Janica Mae Trono and David See Jr., for supporting her and being her partners in crime. She is so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be touring this beloved Canadian show all over North America and wherever it leads her next. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience. For Soulpepper: The Seagull, Draw Me Close Other Theatre: Sanctuary Song (Tapestry Opera); Farm Show: Then & Now (Blyth Festival); Guilt: A Love Story (Tarragon Theatre + Canadian tour); Prison Dancer The Musical (National Arts Centre); Canoe (Native Earth Performing Arts); Carmen (Canadian Opera Company); Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery (Thousand Islands Playhouse); 15 Dogs (Crow’s Theatre); Little Women (Stratford Festival). OTHER: She is a member of the Canadian Actor's Equity Association (CAEA). She has a Diploma from Humber College and Bachelor's from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) both for theatre.
MICHELLE BLAIR (Assistant Stage Manager) is a Los Angeles–based stage manager who began her career at the Mark Taper Forum in 2001. She has since worked extensively with Center Theatre Group under the leadership of Gordon Davidson, Michael Ritchie, and Snehal Desai. Her credits include collaborations with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Opera, and most recently, the Broadway run of Robert Icke’s Oedipus at Studio 54. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California and the University of Amsterdam. For Susie Walsh.
AARON JAN (Assistant Director) was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Soulpepper 2025: Kim’s Convenience. For Soulpepper: Yellow Rabbit . Other Theatre: Woking Phoenix (TPM/Silk Bath Collective), Give ‘Em Hell (Theatre Direct), Cockfight, The Servant of Two Masters (Theatre Erindale), From Up Here (University of Winnipeg), The Standard Sing (Factory Theatre), Hookman (TMU), Ga Ting (ARTillery Collective), Lucky (rEvolver Festival). Other: Ken McDougall Directing Award, Johanna Protege Award, Urjo Kareda Award, Jon Kaplan Audience Choice
Dora Award for Woking Phoenix, Rita Joe Award, Aubrey and Marla Dan fund co-recipient. Stratford’s Langham Director’s Workshop 2025 Cohort. aaronchihojan.wixsite.com/home
BECCA TRIMBUR (Company Manager) is thrilled to be joining Kim’s Convenience for her tour debut! Born and raised in Northern Kentucky, she has spent most of her career in company management at regional theatres in the US. She could not do this without the unwavering support of her friends and family, especially her mom, Annette, who’s always been ready to pack up the car on a moment’s notice. Regional: Capital Repertory Theatre (NY), Florida Repertory Theatre (FL), Actors Theatre of Louisville (KY). Summer stock: Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival (PA), Williamstown Theatre Festival (MA).
PEMBERLEY PRODUCTIONS ( Tour General Manager ) is a producing, general management, and tour booking company based in NYC/Chicago. We collaborate with overseas companies and US-based productions to bring theatre across North America as well as internationally. Highlights include the long-running West End production of The Woman in Black (Off-Broadway at NYC’s McKittrick Hotel and across the US); the US Tour of Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights; the US Tour of the National Theatre’s An Inspector Calls; and the US Tour of The Last Ship (starring STING). In the 25/26 Season, Pemberley is also looking after Heathers The Musical (Off-Broadway), Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile (US Tour), Elizabeth McGovern’s Ava: The Secret Conversations (US/Canada Tour), the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Hamnet (US Tour), and more. Pemberley was last at CTG with The Secret Garden, Matthew Bourne’s Romeo & Juliet, and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. For information on upcoming tours and projects in development, visit pemberleyproductions.com.
SOULPEPPER THEATRE COMPANY (Producer) is Canada’s leading artist-driven theatre company. A dynamic cultural hub that brings artists and communities together to spark connection, inspire change, and elevate the power of storytelling. Led by Artistic Director Paolo Santalucia & Executive Director Gideon Arthurs, Soulpepper is Canada’s hub for developing and producing some of the nation’s most compelling and innovative works, while championing a diversity of voices and perspectives. The company also offers an abundance of free education and community programs that nurture creativity for all and foster connection. Soulpepper touches the lives of hundreds of thousands each year across Canada, inspiring both audiences and artists to celebrate the transformative power of theatre.
ADAM BLANSHAY PRODUCTIONS (Producer) is a UK-based company with over 60 productions worldwide to date. Recipient of 8 Tonys, 10 Oliviers, and one Helpmann Award. ABP produced the highly acclaimed 2024 UK première of Kim’s
Convenience starring Ins Choi, directed by Esther Jun at Park Theatre and Riverside Studios in London, as well as the UK Tour which began in March 2025. This production won the 2025 Stage Award for Campaign of the Year. Originally from Montreal, Adam has an EMBA from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford and received The Linbury Scholarship for his studies. Full bio: adamblanshay.com He dedicates this to his Umma, Roni.
JUST FOR LAUGHS (Co-Producer) is the world’s leading comedy brand, best known for its iconic Montreal festival—the largest international comedy festival in the world. JFL has launched the careers of countless comedians and produces acclaimed live shows, television, and stage productions. Led by Sylvain Parent-Bédard and Jérôme Tremblay, recent stage credits include Waitress, Chicago (Montreal), and Real Women Have Curves (Broadway).
YOU PRODUCTIONS (Co-Producer). Terence Rodia began as an actor before becoming a choreographer, director, and founder of the YOU brand an international talent agency and production company. He won the Forty Under Forty Award in 2023 and is a 2024 finalist for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards’ Service Industries Entrepreneur of the Year.
HENDERSON THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS ( Co-Producer ) develops and produces new work for the stage. The company is led by Rupert Henderson, who was previously Producer at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Rupert is passionate about bringing ambitious, high quality theatre to a wide audience.
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
MEGHAN PRESSMAN ( Managing Director/CEO, she/her ) joined Center Theatre Group in 2019. Previously, she served as Managing Director of Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (D.C.), Director of Development for Signature Theatre (N.Y.), and Associate Managing Director of Berkeley Rep. She is a graduate of Yale School of Drama/Yale School of Management and serves as a mentor in the Theater Management program. Meghan has served as the Vice-Chair for the Theatre Communications Group Board of Directors and is a member of the Broadway League.
SNEHAL DESAI (Brindell and Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director, he/him) was appointed Center Theatre Group's third Artistic Director in 2023. As an artistic leader, Snehal has sought to raise awareness of social issues that affect Angelenos through impactful and empowering storytelling. Previously, he was the Producing Artistic Director of East West Players. For CTG, Snehal most recently directed American Idiot and Here Lies Love at the Mark Taper Forum.
GORDON DAVIDSON (Founding Artistic Director) led the Taper throughout its first 38 seasons, guiding over 300 productions to its stage and winning countless awards for himself and the theatre—including the Tony Award for theatrical excellence, Margo Jones Award, The Governor’s Award for the Arts, and a Guggenheim fellowship. The Kentucky Cycle and Angels in America (Part One) won the Pulitzer in consecutive years and, in 1994, three of the four plays nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play were from the Taper (Angels in America won). In 1989, Gordon took over the Ahmanson and, in 2004, he produced the inaugural season in the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
DOUGLAS C. BAKER ( Producing Director, he/him ) joined Center Theatre Group in 1990. Doug is an active member of the Broadway League, the Independent Presenters Network (IPN), and is a proud member of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers (ATPAM). In 2013, Doug received the Broadway League’s prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Presenter Management Award.
NAUSICA STERGIOU (General Manager) has worked supporting artists in theatres of all shapes, sizes, and locales including Center Theatre Group as General Manager and, previously, as Audience Development Director. She oversees productions at the Taper and Douglas, as well as new play commissions and developmental productions. Nausica has taught Marketing and Management at USC’s School of Dramatic Arts and works with local nonprofits including Hollywood Orchard. BA, Cornell University. MFA, Yale School of Drama.
ERIC SIMS (General Manager, Presentations, he/him) joined CTG in 2005 and has served in various capacities, including as the Director of Operations for the Kirk Douglas Theatre from 2008-2018. Previously, he was the Managing Director of the Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. He is the Vice President of the Culver City Downtown Business Association and was the Co-Chair of the Ovation Rules Committee, producing the Ovation Awards from 2015-2019.
CENTER THEATRE GROUP, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading not-for-profit theatre company, which, under the leadership of Artistic Director Snehal Desai, Managing Director / CEO Meghan Pressman, and Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, programs seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1,600 to 2,100-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the country’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across
generations, demographics, and circumstances to serve Los Angeles. Founded in 1967, Center Theatre Group was led by Founding Artistic Director Gordon Davidson until 2005 when Michael Ritchie was the artistic director until his retirement in 2021; Snehal Desai was appointed the organization’s next artistic director in 2023. Center Theatre Group has produced more than 700 productions across its three stages, including such iconic shows as Zoot Suit; Angels in America; The Kentucky Cycle; Biloxi Blues; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; Children of a Lesser God; Curtains; The Drowsy Chaperone; 9 to 5: The Musical; and Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo. CenterTheatreGroup.org
THE SET, PROPS, PAINT, AND COSTUMES FOR THIS PRODUCTION WERE BUILT BY THE SOULPEPPER THEATRE COMPANY ARTISTS IN TORONTO, ON, CANADA:
Andy DeVries Head Carpenter
Bill Stahl First Carpenter
Paul Boddum
Head Scenic Artist
Jonathon Parisi, Hilda Chu, Dan Jakobi & Sophie Griffin Scenic Painters
Lisa Nighswander Head of Props
Greg Chambers First Props Builder/Buyer
Jack Nighswander Props Hand
Ellie Koffman Head of Wardrobe
Claudia Matas
Assistant Head of Wardrobe
Erin Halls Stitcher
Jacqueline Robertson-Cull Head of Wigs
KIM’S CONVENIENCE PRODUCTION TEAM
Sean Baek Fight Director
Anita Nittoly Intimacy Director
Robert Harding Fight Captain
Ben Kopp Music Director & Copyist
Just Beets
Charlie Simpson
Associate Lighting Designer
Associate Sound and Video
Mick Fernandez Tour Carpenter
EAK Visa Services
Immigration Services
Road Rebel Global Housing Provider
Alicia Head/Kessler & Co. Travel Provider
FOR ADAM BLANSHAY PRODUCTIONS
Adam Blanshay Producer
Jonathan Lee General Manager & Associate Producer
Kate Carey Assistant Producer
William Shackleton Production Assistant
Samantha Heynes Bookkeeper
Simon Littlejohns Accounts
FOR SOULPEPPER THEATRE COMPANY
Paolo Santalucia Artistic Director
Gideon Arthurs Executive Director
Jonathan Heppner Executive Producer
Robyn Hoja Producer
Julia Carrano Associate Producer
Patricia Vinluan Interim Senior Production Manager
Maya Royer Production Manager
Leslie Hernandez Technical Director
FOR KOREAN AMERICAN LEADERS IN HOLLYWOOD
Kymber Lim Community Liaison
FOR PEMBERLEY PRODUCTIONS
Managing Members & GMs Doreen Sayegh & Tim Smith
General Manager Annie Shea Graney
Associate General Managers Rosie Bross-Rice, Terri Kohler, Jimmy Yandoli
Company Management Becca Trimbur, Benjamin Brooks, Dianna Marie Barger
Production Assistant Chris Devlin
THANK YOU
The Kim’s Convenience team would like to extend their thanks to the Alpha Korean United Church for use of their photo archive, the Choi family, Jung A Im, Suzie Kim, Jawon Kang, Kelly McEvenue, Grace Mrkobrada, Julian Ochangco, Hannah and Elizabeth Seo, Danny Seo for additional photos, Neha Ross, Kat Chin, Korean Cultural Center Los AngelesAJ Laflamme, Nancy Dryden, Luke Reece, Jasmine Knox, Rhett Costin, Nick Beardsley, Rohan Kulkarni, the generous support of Sylvia Soyka, Lauren Naus, Riaz Charania, The Foussias Family, The Hallan Family, Suzanne Cheriton, and Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles.
THANK YOU TO THE FAMILIES (AND THEIR STORES) PAST AND PRESENT WHO KINDLY SHARED THEIR PHOTOS: Acton Town Milk, 1990s. Owned by Song family. Submitted by David Song Bee’s Variety, Wilson Ave, Toronto. 1970s. Owned by K.J and M.S Choi. Submitted by Ann Y.K Choi.
Best Convenience, Queen Street West, Toronto, 1970s. Submitted by Suzie Kim. Bethany General Store, Bethany, Ontario, 1990s. Owned by Keun-Hee (Kenny) Kang and Eun-Hye (Nancy) Kang. Submitted by Ray Kang. Eagle Convenience, Cambridge, Ontario, 1990s. Owned by Lee Kyung-Joon. Submitted by Ryan Lee.
EZ Mart, Davis Dr/Prospect, Newmarket, 2010s. Submitted by Emily Jung First Convenience, Roncesvalles & Queen St. West, Toronto, early 2000s. Submitted by Susan Truong.
Honey Harbour General Store, Honey Harbour, Ontario, 2017-present. Owned by Yong-Woo Lee. Submitted by Yong-Woo Lee.
Juli Rose Flowers, Toronto. Owned by Julia Kim. Submitted by Jannis Mei. Midland Jugmilk, Scarborough, late 1980s-2010s. Owned by Mr & Mrs Shin. Submitted by Jini Chen.
Mr. Smoke and Variety, Keele and Wilson, 1990s-2000s. Owned by Jae-Jin and Kyong-Hee. Submitted by Danielle Chiang. Pinegrove Variety, Oakville, Ontario, 1985-2019. Owned by Chung Jae Lee. Submitted by Edward Lee.
Puppy Chappy, North York. Owned by Eunsook Heo. Submitted by Kelly Seo Rogers Rd Variety Store, 1960s-70s. Owned by Huang family. Submitted by Andrea James Lui and Christina Lui.
Sun Variety, Scarborough, 1970s-90s. Submitted by Susan Yu What a bargain, Jones & Danforth, Toronto, 1996-2009. M&D Variety, Jane & Sheppard, Toronto, 2009-2020. Owned by Kang family. Submitted by Jawon Kang.
Additional Photos Submitted by: Susan Yoon, Tina Yoo, Harry Lee, Pauline Kim, Jae Pak, Sonia L, Hannah You, Gina Chang and Liz Ryu.
U.S. based Stage Managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers of the United States. This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The House Managers employed in this production are represented by the Association of Theatrical Press Agents & Managers. The following employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Machine Operators, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada, AFL-CIO, CLC: Stage Crew Local 33; Treasurers and Ticket Sellers Local 857; Wardrobe Crew Local 768; Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Local 706
Center Theatre Group is a member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the American Arts Alliance, the Broadway League, Independent Producers’ Network (IPN), the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT), and Theatre Communications Group (TCG).
PRIMARY TRUST
SNEHAL DESAI Brindell & Milton Gottlieb Artistic Director | MEGHAN PRESSMAN Managing Director/CEO | DOUGLAS C. BAKER Producing Director
GORDON DAVIDSON Founding Artistic Director
ARTISTIC
LINDSAY ALLBAUGH♦ Associate Artistic Director
BRANDON IVIE Artistic Producer
SONIA DESAI Director of Literary and Dramaturgy
PAIGE VEHLEWALD Artistic Programs Manager
TIFFANY SLAGLE° Artistic & Literary Associate
RANDOLPH MEREDYTH-DRAKE Executive Assistant to the Artistic Director
EXECUTIVE
NAIMA OROZCO-VALDIVIA° Executive Programs Manager
MADISON QUIROZ Executive Office Liaison
MANAGEMENT
NAUSICA STERGIOU♦ General Manager
ERIC SIMS♦ General Manager, Presentations
KATIE SOFF ♦ Associate General Manager
JEFFREY UPAH♦ General Management Associate
KIARA BRYANT Company Manager
TAYLOR ANNE CULLEN Assistant Company Manager
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
CAROLINA SAN JUAN Interim Director of Arts Education
JESUS REYES♦ Director of Learning and Community Partnerships
TRACI KWON♦ Arts Education Initiatives Director
MEIGHAN LA ROCCA Program Manager
COURTNEY CLARK° Digital Learning Manager
NATALIA QUINTERO-RIESTRA Programs Associate
JORDAN GELOTTE Education & Community Partnerships Coordinator
ESTELA GARCIA, CHRISTINE BREIHAN Resident Teaching Artists
ZACHARY BONES, REBECCA GRAUL, ELIJAH GREEN,° AJA HOUSTON, JOHNATHON L. JACKSON, CARENE ROSE MEKERTICHYAN,
MARA PALMA, ROBERT PATERNO,
MADDOX PENNINGTON, MARTA PORTILLO,
TARA RICASA, MONIQUE SYPKENS Teaching Artists
MIRIAM CERVANTES Dramaturgy Apprentice, Touring Project
PAUL GALAVIZ Directing Apprentice, Touring Project
SETH JENKINS Stage Management Apprentice, Touring Project
PRODUCTION
JOE HAMLIN♦ Director of Production
SHANNON G. BICKNELL Senior Production Manager
LESLEY GONZALEZ Associate Production Manager
CAMBRIA CHICHI° Production Supervisor
ISAAC KATZANEK Technical Director
SHAWN ANDERSON♦ Head Carpenter (Ahmanson Theatre)
SCOTT LUCAS Head Properties (Ahmanson Theatre)
JARED BATTY Head Electrician (Ahmanson Theatre)
ROBERT SMITH♦ Head Sound (Ahmanson Theatre)
SHANE ANDERSON Head Flyrail (Ahmanson Theatre)
MICHAEL GARDNER♦ Wardrobe Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)
MARY BORGIA Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Ahmanson Theatre)
CHRISTINE L. COX♦ House Manager (Ahmanson Theatre & Mark Taper Forum)
EMMET KAISER♦ Head Carpenter (Mark Taper Forum)
MARY ROMERO Head Properties (Mark Taper Forum)
AARON STAUBACH♦ Head Electrician (Mark Taper Forum)
CHRISTIAN LEE Head Sound (Mark Taper Forum)
LORETTA BUSSEN Wardrobe Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum)
THERESE LEVASSEUR Hair & Make-up Supervisor (Mark Taper Forum)
MERRIANNE NEDREBERG♦ Shop Director
KATE REINLIB
ERIC BABB♦°
RAUL VEGA MARTINEZ°
SHANTA FARIA DE SA
Associate Prop Director
Associate Prop Director
Shop Supervisor
Costume Shop Manager
CAYLYN DABNEY Resident Assistant Costume Designer
ASHPHORD JACOWAY Costume Shop Coordinator
TAYLOR DECKER First Hand/ KDT Wardrobe Supervisor
OPERATIONS
PETER WYLIE
CARLOS AYALA
Operations & Facilities Director
Facilities Manager
VANESSA DE LOERA Facilities Associate
JULIO A. CUELLAR,♦ OSCAR DOMINGUEZ Facilities Assistants
JASMINE BRAFF Operations Manager
SIMON MARTIN Operations Assistant
NATALIE MARCEAU, HERVIN HERNANDEZ, REGINA NILES, ANTONIO DIXON, TOBIE WINDHAM Drivers
VANESSA BRADCHULIS, OLIVIA CHOATE, PRESSLY COKER, MONICA GREENE, PAT LOEB, SAM UDERO Stage Door Attendants
FINANCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND HUMAN RESOURCES
CHERYL SHEPHERD Chief Financial Officer
PETER BANACHOWSKI Controller
DENICE BEHDAD Assistant Controller
ANAHITA ASHRAFIPOUR Senior Accountant
XOCHITL ORTEGA Accounts Payable Supervisor
KERRY BETH KAUFFMAN° Accounting Assistant
JESSICA HERNANDEZ Payroll Manager
MYLAH BARRETO, TIFFANY GARDE Payroll Specialist
TOM MEGALE IT Director
JANELLE CABRERA TORRES Tessitura & Web Administration Director
JOEY LAMBERT-SOLANO Digital Product Manager
CRIS SPACCA♦ Information Technology Manager
JODY HORWITZ♦ Director of Human Resources
JERMAINE CARTER HR Generalist
MOSS ADAMS Auditor
MICHAEL C. DONALDSON, LISA A. CALLIF Legal Counsel
GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER Legal Counsel
INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT
SARAH SULLIVAN Director of Institutional Advancement
RICKY CARTER Director of Development
CRYSTAL DIAZ Director of Special Events
KATASHA ACOSTA-ROWE Director of Advancement Operations
ANASTASIA RUTKOWSKI Corporate Relations Officer
CORALEE YOUNG Assistant Director of Individual Giving
NICOLE SCIPIONE♦ Senior Individual Giving Officer
MARNI AYERS Individual Giving Officer
ZAIN PATEL Individual Giving Officer
CLAIRE PEARSON Institutional Giving Manager
NICKI BONURA Advancement Associate
ERICA MCINTOSH Senior Analyst, Gift Accounting and Reporting
MAYA KING Advancement Operations Associate
ALICE PELAYO Donor Liason & Institutional Advancement Assistant
IRENE CHO Executive Assistant to the Director of Institutional Advancement
MEDIA AND CONTENT
BRETT WEBSTER Director of Media and Content
JESSICA DOHERTY° Associate Content Director
BOBBY MARTINEZ Content Associate
KEELEY BELL Media and Content Coordinator
DAVIDSON & CHOY PUBLICITY:
TIM CHOY, PETER GOLDMAN, VICTORIA WESTBROOK Publicity Consultants
DEANNA McCLURE♦ Design Director
JAVIER VASQUEZ♦ Digital Content Producer
LILA WAKILI Senior Graphic Designer
CHEYNE GALLARDE Senior Graphic Designer
CINDY ANDRADE Graphic Designer
MARKETING AND SALES
GARRETT COLLINS♦ Director of Marketing and Sales
PAMELA KUHR Director of Membership
BRENNIE TELLU Ticketing & Customer Experience Director
CANDICE WALTERS♦ Marketing Campaigns & Operations Director
SKYPP CABANAS♦ Senior Manager, Ticket Operations
DEVANY HARDEN° Senior Manager, Audience Loyalty
KATHARINE MEANS° Senior Manager, Advertising
MIKE RATTERMAN♦ Senior Manager, Membership Engagement
ANDRESSA ROYER Senior Manager, Audience Development & Marketing Events
NINA PERRY Account Sales Manager
CHASE ANDERSON-SHAW Kirk Douglas Theatre Manager
ROMAN DICESARE Email Marketing Associate
MARC GOODMAN Senior Analyst, Sales Strategy & Data
TINTIN NGUYEN Ticket Operations Coordinator
JACK DARNELL Marketing Coordinator
AARON HIGAREDA° Membership Engagement Supervisor
MICHAEL AGUILO, WILL ALLEN, LA'RAE CARMICHAEL, JOE CASPER, BRAD GRIFFITH, NATALIE KEEZER, KATHLEEN LITTLEFIELD, JOSEPHINE NUNEZ°, DONALD RIZZO, BENJAMIN SCHWARTZ♦ ,
DIANE WARD♦ Membership Engagement Representatives
CAROLINE THOMPSON/IMPACT 123 Media Planning
SANDY CZUBIAK♦ Audience & Subscriber Services Director
JENNIFER BAKER,♦
CHERYL HAWKER♦ Audience Services Senior Supervisors
JONATHAN FLORES Audience Services Supervisor
JURGEN SANTOS Audience Services Sales Associate
JOSHUA BADILLO, CLAY BUNKER, FRANK ENSENBERGER, DANIEL GARCIA, HARPAL KHOSLA, MICHAEL MUNOZ, SAMUEL ROQUE, DAVID SALAZAR, ASHLEY SANDOVAL, CHRISTINA WRIGHT Audience Services Representatives
JUSTINE PEREZ♦ Donor Associate
DANUTA SIEMAK♦ Subscriber Services Senior Supervisor
CHRISTINA GUTIERREZ♦ Subscriber Services Senior Supervisor
LIGIA PISTE,♦ PETER STALOCH♦ Subscriber Services Senior Representatives
MICHAEL VALLE♦ Box Office Treasurer
KEANA JACKSON, YULIZA BARRAZA 1st Assistant Treasurers
LUIS ESPINOZA, KAITLYN GALVEZ, MICHAEL KEMPISTY♦ 2nd Assistant Treasurers
Center Theatre Group would like to thank its exceptional staff for their ongoing commitment, dedication, and extraordinary efforts. ♦ On staff for 10+ years. °Education & Community Partnerships Program Alumni
ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT & COMMISSIONS
As part of our commitment to supporting new plays and playwrights, we foster and develop a broad range of theatrical work from diverse artists locally, nationally, and abroad.
Artists creating new work commissioned by Center Theatre Group this season:
LISA D’AMOUR
JENNIFER HALEY
ALESHEA HARRIS
KIMBER LEE
QUI NGUYEN
ELIANA PIPES
LUIS VALDEZ
SEAYOUNG YIM
KAREN ZACARÍAS
LA WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
Since 2005, we have invited local playwrights to spend a year researching and writing a new work with the feedback of their fellow writers and artistic staff as part of our L.A. Writers’ Workshop. Learn more at CTGLA.org/ARTISTS
2025/26 COHORT:
BERNARDO CUBRÍA
KEVIN DOUGLAS
KEIKO GREEN
CHRISTINA PUMARIEGA
MADDOX PENNINGTON
ERIKA SHEFFER
LA ARTIST RESIDENCIES
DIANA BURBANO
LARISSA FASTHORSE
MICHAEL JOHN GARCÉS
DANIEL ALEXANDER JONES
MADELINE SAYET
KRISTINA WONG
AMMUNITION THEATRE COMPANY
FOUR LARKS
NATIVE VOICES
TEATRO DEL BARRIO