Play Review: King of the Yees

The Walterdale Theatre‘s third show of their current season opened last week on February 5. King of the Yees brought masterful performances, heartfelt themes, and an explosive, quirky cast of characters.

Written by Lauren Yee and directed by Barbara Mah, it follows the autobiographical character of Lauren Yee as she attempts to prepare for a production of her new play. Despite her play being centered around San Francisco’s Chinatown, where she grew up, it quickly becomes apparent that Lauren is disconnected from her Chinese heritage. During the play’s run-through, Lauren’s father, Larry Yee, appears. Larry is a pillar of the Chinese community. He is a joyful man who is always eager to lend a helping hand. Lauren is embarrassed by her father and his enthusiasm, and continuously attempts to distance herself from him and Chinese culture. But when Larry goes missing, Lauren must navigate her way through Chinatown and reconnect with her heritage in order to bring him back.

King of the Yees is a love letter to the Chinese and Asian community in general. While I cannot personally relate to the themes of Chinese culture and Asian heritage, the show allowed me to learn about and appreciate a culture I did not previously know much about. Yee paints a vivid picture of San Francisco’s Chinatown. She expresses her love and gratitude towards it while also recognizing its flaws. She reinforces the importance of knowing where you come from through Lauren’s transformative journey.

Amidst conversations surrounding what it means to be Asian in contemporary America, Yee also weaves in universal themes surrounding love, loss, and family. Her heartfelt script explores the loss of a parent, but also the loss of a child. She poignantly captures the terrifying feeling of those we love slipping away. Yee’s ability to tap into the roots of what it means to be a family is masterful.

Yee’s script is brought to life by a cast of wonderful actors. Ruth Wong-Miller’s performance as Lauren was sharp, high-spirited, and sincere. She brought a palpable energy to the character that was apparent the second she stepped on stage. The emotional complexity and earnestness she brought to Lauren was sincere and charming. She served as a solid linchpin for the zany cast of characters to surround. Stanley Woo as Larry was another standout performance. His exuberant energy brought an endearing quality to his character. Woo’s chemistry with Wong-Miller was excellent, and the two brought superb emotional performances together.

The ensemble as a whole was also excellent. Lauren encounters a number of peculiar, boisterous characters as she attempts to bring her father back. Each one was brought to life with an energetic genuineness that captured the audience’s heart. From an old, mystical chiropractor to a loud-mouthed liquor store employee, each character stood out in their own charismatic way.

In the show’s programme, Mah speaks about her personal connection to the show. Her relationship with and love for the script shines through in her direction. Every aspect of the show, from the technical elements, to the blocking and choreography, to the design on the stage’s floor, radiate a sense of love and commitment to the story being told. Mah brings a beautiful artistic eye to the show and handles it with the care it deserves.

King of the Yees tells the story of a woman who has begun to lose her way and the steps she takes to get back. It is running at the Walterdale Theatre until February 15. You can purchase tickets here.