Author: Kristen Finlay

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Ruth Wong-Miller is Lauren Yee!

Who are you and who do you play in King of the Yees? I’m Ruth Wong-Miller and I play Lauren Yee in the show. If her name sounds familiar – she is also the playwright of King of the Yees (the show is semi-autobiographical, she says!)

Lauren is an American Born Chinese woman who is not in touch with her Chinese side. She’s a Yale educated playwright and doesn’t understand why her dad wants to involve what seems like EVERYONE (Lion Dancers, Erhu Players, Lum Elders, Face Changers…everyone) in her new play. She happens to be workshopping her play at the Yee Fung Toy (her dad helped her get the space for free…but he wasn’t invited to the reading!)

Through the course of the play, she adventures through San Francisco’s Chinatown, learning about her Chinese community, culture and history. Most importantly, she explores her relationship with her father and why Chinatown is so important to him.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? This show is comedic and poignant while pulling out all the stops to show you (and teach you) about Chinese culture in San Francisco’s Chinatown! The cast is high energy, funny, and simply awesome. Don’t miss our show!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? It is such a treat to work with this all-Asian cast on the stage of the fabulous Walterdale Theatre! It has been a true honour to lead this cast in a piece of theatre that is so close to our own experiences. – we are all so proud to be representative of the Chinese Culture in this show and are having a blast working on it!

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? It’s been extra special to explore a character who has experienced cultural identity challenges similar to my own. Growing up (and even now) folks are wanting to belong, and sometimes this comes at the cost of our own sense of self or pride in our own culture. Especially over the past few years, I have definitely come to appreciate even more the opportunities that were afforded to me because of my parents’ hard work as immigrants – and our journey together to learn to live between two cultures!

What was the best birthday party you attended? McDonalds – the Styrofoam box stacking challenge is an epic memory. My mom made me an awesome Grimace Cake (Still love that purple character to this day!)

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES! Andrew Kwan is Chiropractor, Newscaster & Ensemble member!

What is your name? Andrew Kwan

What is your role in the show? Chiropractor/Newscaster/Ensemble. The Chiropractor is an important character in Chinatown that Lauren must visit to start her journey of discovery. Don’t want to give too much away but he’s pretty well known in these parts.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? This is a charming, fun, and insightful dramatic comedy about institutions and culture that many people aren’t aware of. Its a story about family and the bonds that hold us together.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? Being a part of an all-Asian cast (with an Asian director and SM) has been such a delight. Most of us are like Lauren in many ways, continuing to learn and discover more about our roots. As a Canadian-born Asian person we are between two worlds and navigating life isn’t always straightforward. To be able to go on this journey with people with similar backgrounds, and then to be able to perform and display this on stage, will be a true joy.

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? I think growing up there is an immense pressure to fit in and to be ‘less Asian’. I went to a school that did not have a lot of diversity and so I did what I could to be a part of that crowd. As I grew older and met more people, its been more important in my life to embrace my cultural background and to learn more about others as well. Our diversity is what makes us stronger and better people because of it.

What was the best birthday party you attended? My son’s first birthday party! Cake smash, name that tune, outdoor BBQ… and in bed at a reasonable time!

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Grace Li (李冰冰 lǐ bīng bīng) is The Whiskey Seller and Ensemble!

What is your name? Grace Li (If you want the Chinese name, its 李冰冰 lǐ bīng bīng)

What is your role in the show? I am a cast member, and one of the notable characters I play is the Whiskey Seller. My character is a wonderful shop keeper–always has the best deals for high quality items. Do I know anything about alcohol? Irrelevant to giving a good sales pitch.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? It is a fun story with heart. I think because of the title and premise, certain expectations may come up on what the play should be about, but I believe the story plays on that, and subverts those ideas. Come to the show with an open mind, and let yourself be carried away for an evening!

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? A highlight would definitely be getting to work with other Asian people in the theatre community. Theatre is a predominantly White field, so honestly, getting to see other people of color is such a joy in my book. Another highlight is learning Lion Dancing–definitely fulfilling a childhood dream, though with a lot more leg pain.

Grace Li as the Whiskey Seller in King of the Yees; Photo Credit: Scott Henderson, Henderson Images

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? I think one thing that I started to get comfortable with was incorporating my cultural and lived experiences into my writing. I never felt comfortable exploring that part of my identity, as I felt like I didn’t have the authority to. Previously, I thought that my experiences were not “valid enough to write as a Chinese person.” But that’s not true, and I’m getting better at wrapping my head around those feelings. I am allowed to express aspects of experience in my writing, because they are a part of my life. I am a child of immigrants, a part of the Chinese diaspora within North America, and I am ethnically and culturally Chinese. There is no “right way” to express my experience, nor am I barred from writing about them.

What was the best birthday party you attended? Not to be a downer, but I wasn’t really allowed to go to birthdays growing up. And my own birthday is just chill occasion. 

Meet the Team of KING OF THE YEES – Barbara Mah is the Director!

Who are you, and what is your role on the show? I’m Barbara Mah and I am the Director of King of the Yees. I have the privilege of working with this insanely talented group of people to bring this story to life.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? The show is very funny and audiences will relate to the father/daughter communication gap. They will also get to see authentic Lion Dancing!

Barbara Mah (Right) and her grandfather (Henry W.H. Mah) in downtown Chinatown, Edmonton when she was around 3 or 4.
Barb in rehearsal at Walterdale.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? The story is a deeply personal one for me. Although the themes of parent/child communication gap are universal, the setting, an office space in a Family Association (which the main character has no understanding about) is very parallel to my own journey. Some background: my grandfather, Henry W. H. Mah was one of the founders of the Mah Society in Edmonton. I did not know or understand what the society was about. It had served a use during the days of the Chinese Immigration Act (in the US the Chinese Exclusion Act) but seemed to be a relic of the past. In 2022, younger members of the Mah society tried to put together an archival history and were interviewing any surviving community elders. They interviewed my father and my aunt. I was at the interview and heard stories of the history of my family that I never knew. The stories from all elders were gathered and the result was the Exhibit “Journey of the Horse” (Mah means horse in Chinese). Not only had they managed to put together a timeline, they placed this timeline against the context of the socio-political events in Canada at the time, including the hardships and racism faced by the community. This exhibit opened in 2024. My father did not live to see it. That said, for the people still reading, the show is a comedy!!!

What was the best birthday party you attended? One for my friend Dorothy, who was in her 80s at the time. All that she asked for was for each guest to bring a story. The evening was a celebration of her — while she was still alive!

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Hymns Chu is a Lion Dancer and part of the Ensemble!

What is your name? Hymns (Tsz Him) Chu

What is your role in the show? I’m part of the ensemble and also play the role of the Lion Dancer. Sometimes, I’m fully immersed in the vibrant, dynamic movement of the Lion Dance, which requires a lot of physical energy and coordination. Other times, I take on the role of an FBI agent, bringing a completely different energy to the stage.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? King of the Yees is not just a heartfelt and engaging exploration of identity & family experience, and what it means to be part of the Chinese-Canadian community. The play delves into the unique challenges and joys of maintaining cultural traditions in a modern, North American setting, something many in the Chinese diaspora can relate to.

As my first theatre performance in this vibrant city, I’m especially excited to bring this story to life for the Edmonton audience. With its rich cultural elements like the Lion Dance and its humor and emotion, King of the Yees offers a fresh perspective on the connections between past and present, tradition and innovation. It’s a celebration of family and community that will resonate with everyone, whether you share this cultural heritage or simply love a great story.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? A highlight of working on King of the Yees so far has definitely been the Lion Dance. It’s such a dynamic and visually stunning part of the play, but it also requires an incredible amount of practice and physical coordination. For someone like me, who doesn’t naturally have great body coordination, it was a real challenge to adapt to the movements and perform them convincingly on stage. It took time, patience, and a lot of repetition, but seeing it come together as part of the performance was truly rewarding. It’s been an amazing experience to immerse myself in this traditional art form and bring it to life for the audience.

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to appreciate the creative growth within myself, much like Lauren in King of the Yees. Her courage to chase her dreams, craft a story, and share it with the world is incredibly inspiring. It reminds me to value my own journey of expression and to embrace the creative sparks that shape who I am.

Lauren’s effort to preserve her cultural heritage, even as she prepares to marry into a different culture in Germany, also resonates with me. It highlights the importance of honoring traditions while forging a path of your own into different countries. This balance between staying rooted in one’s culture and evolving with new experiences is something I deeply relate to as I continue to discover who I am.

What was the best birthday party you attended? My 30th birthday was the best birthday party I’ve ever attended! It was my first Canadian birthday, which made it extra special. The Pastors at a local Chinese church invited me out for yum cha, a traditional Chinese meal that I love. Sharing this milestone with such warm and welcoming people made me feel at home, even though I was in a new country. The mix of delicious food and heartfelt company was the perfect way to celebrate this big day.

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES – Rupert Gomez is Danny Ma, Lion Dancer and an Ensemble member!

Who are you and what is your role in the show? I am Rupert Gomez, and I play a number of characters in the show.

One of the characters I am playing is Danny Ma. He is this charismatic and playful young man that gets sucked into the play and is met with a riveting experience. For me, he represents the young and naive counterpart to the older characters providing the audience humour in his awkward enthusiasm.

I also play one of the Lion Dancers. Lion Dancers are a very important symbolic figure in Chinese culture representing tradition. In Act 2, when Lauren encounters the Lion dancers, this figure becomes an obstacle for Lauren, ultimately helping her understand her heritage better.

Lastly, I am also one of the Lum Elders. In contrast to the role of young Danny, the Lum elders serve as the symbol for the older generation and gatekeepers of tradition. They also became an obstacle for Lauren in preserving the culture of Chinatown.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? King of the Yees is a one of a kind play that explores cultural identity and generational experience and is told with comical humour that everyone can relate to.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? The highlight for me is definitely learning how to do the lion dance from actual professional dancers! I found a new appreciation for the art just by seeing the amount of effort and training the dancers go through, many of them starting from a very young age.

Meet the Cast of KING OF THE YEES! Kingsley Leung is Actor 1 & Shrimp Boy!

Who are you? Kingsley Leung

What is your role in the show? What does that involve? I play Actor 1 & Shrimp Boy. Being an actor can be challenging. Being an actor playing an actor is intense (memories of Tropic Thunder…). I love the dynamic between my character and Helen who plays “Actor 2”. As a polar opposite character, Ha Jai (aka Shrimp Boy), I love getting into the mind of a real-life gangster and pulling out my worst over-the-top Chinese accent.

Why should audiences come to see King of the Yees? Definitely stay away from this one. Unless you like to laugh out loud and have fun watching a heartfelt story being told. There’s too much of that. And if you’re Asian, or non-Asian, or undecided – there’s a part of you in this show that you’ll be able to relate to.

What would you say would be a highlight of working on King of the Yees so far? I’m reunited with past cast members and our director from previous productions, who have always created a safe space for me to express myself on stage, made me fall in love with theatre over and over again, and whose friendships have left an indelible mark on my life.

Many characters in King of the Yees struggle with different elements of their identity. What is an element of your identity that you discovered, rediscovered, or started to appreciate as you got older? I’m so old. I feel it sometimes, but I keep young by acting young (maybe I’m just that immature?). Doing King of the Yees has also made me realize that there hasn’t been much in terms of Asian representation on stage, and hopefully this is one of many to come. Representation matters! Also, I hope my friends and family enjoy the show and if it’s not perfect… It’s an Asian F.

What was the best birthday party you attended? Talk to me in person for all the details, but it’s a 2-way tie for the best birthday party: January 19, 2005 and April 11, 2009 (doubly as cool).

Meet the Cast of HARVEY! Lucas Anders is Dr Lyman Sanderson!

Tell us about the character you play in HARVEY! Dr Lyman Sanderson is an individual who likes being in a position of authority but will toe the line when he needs to. He will own up to his mistakes and is loyal to the people he cares about. His relationship with Miss Kelly can be volatile, but there’s something more beneath the surface.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? Last season at Walterdale, I was an Assistant Director on The Penelopiad. In the season before that I was in The 39 Steps playing Richard Hannay.

What brought you out for Harvey? Why did you want to do the show? It’s really fun show! Although it’s from the past it has some themes that resonate with me including the importance of family, acceptance and love.

Why do you think audiences should come see Harvey? If you’re looking to step back in time and share some laughter with friends this is the perfect show!

Have you ever had an imaginary friend? I’ve never had any imaginary friends, but if I did they would be kind, caring and mischievous!

Meet the Cast of HARVEY! E Unland Spencer is the Cab Driver, EJ Lofgren!

What is your role in Harvey? I play the cab driver. I drive a cab. Except for on Tuesday nights. I have those off.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale? I’ve done high school and university theatre here and there. This is my first Walterdale show.

What brought you out for Harvey? I auditioned on a whim, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s worked out.

Why do you think audiences should come and see Harvey? It’s such a warm story, perfect for the beginning of winter.

Have you ever had an imaginary friend? I was more of a monsters under the bed kid. And monsters in the closet. And outside the window. And on the ceiling. Monsters everywhere, really.

Meet the Cast of HARVEY! Thomas Usher is Elwood P. Dowd!

What is your role in Harvey? I play Elwood P. Dowd. He is the calm centre of a world that whirls around him. In his personal philosophy he has learned to accept that the best way to live one’s life is look after those you encounter with genuine kindness. After 40 years of living up to what others expected of him, he has now chosen to restore a sense of balance to his life; to treat others with the kindness and attention they deserve. Elwood now practices how to put away the distractions of the big problems and cares, and to focus on the simple joy of living in the moment, and in pleasant company. The fact that he happens to enjoy sharing his time with a mischievous 6 foot rabbit he see as no impediment, but rather a beneficial distraction. To his credit, Elwood’s simple and pure heart allows him to see Harvey, and to welcome him as a keen observer of human behaviour, and a faithful companion on his journey.

What is your background in theatre? At Walterdale?

Last directed Jake and the Kid at Walterdale in January, 1988.
Founder and Artistic Director of Red Deer’s Prime Stock Theatre for 27 years, Great West Summer Theatre for 5 seasons and BARD on BOWER for 11 seasons.
Has taught post-secondary theatre across the province, including 17 years at Red Deer College (now Polytechnic), and is a certified fight instructor with Fight Directors Canada. Also an actor, Thomas spends his summer acting as a theatre interpreter with Parks Canada in Banff and Jasper.

What brought you out for Harvey? Why did you want to do the show? I met a charming 6 foot tall rabbit on the street corner one day. . . .who could resist?

Why do you think audiences should come see Harvey? To believe in Harvey is to see the goodness in humanity; to discern the sanity amidst the madness that confronts us each day; to share a pleasant time with whoever you’re with, wherever you are at the moment, for as long as they allow. To listen intently, and refrain from undue judgement. To treat all with respect and decency. . . .we could all use a little more careful listening these days, it seems.