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A Neighborhood Story Takes Center Stage as McCarter Theatre Celebrates Korean Culture Through Community Partnership

When McCarter Theatre opens the doors to its Berlind Theatre this winter, it will not simply be raising the curtain on a beloved play. It will be creating a broader cultural moment that extends well beyond the stage, rooted in local connection, shared heritage, and the lived experiences of New Jersey’s diverse communities. From January 23 through February 15, 2026, McCarter will present Kim’s Convenience, the acclaimed stage work by Ins Choi that inspired the global Netflix phenomenon, while simultaneously deepening its community ties through a meaningful partnership with Woo Ri Mart, the longtime family-owned Korean grocery store based in West Windsor.

The collaboration reflects a growing emphasis at McCarter on storytelling that resonates both artistically and culturally. Kim’s Convenience centers on the Kim family, Korean immigrants who operate a small neighborhood convenience store, and explores generational divides, identity, economic pressure, and the quiet heroism of everyday life. By partnering with Woo Ri Mart, McCarter is grounding the production in the real-world experiences that mirror the play’s narrative, inviting audiences to engage not just as ticket holders, but as neighbors.

For many patrons, the story of Kim’s Convenience feels instantly familiar. At the heart of the play is Appa, the stubborn but deeply loving patriarch who has poured his life into the family store, believing it to be both his legacy and his bridge to the future. As outside developers circle and family relationships strain under the weight of unspoken expectations, humor and tenderness collide in a story that balances laugh-out-loud moments with emotional honesty. The play runs a brisk 90 minutes with no intermission, allowing the narrative to unfold with momentum and intimacy.

This production arrives at McCarter with considerable pedigree. Originally developed and premiered in Toronto, Kim’s Convenience became a theatrical success long before it was adapted for television. Its transition to the small screen introduced millions to the Kim family, but the stage version retains a unique immediacy, allowing audiences to feel the rhythms of the store, the silences between conversations, and the cultural nuances that can sometimes be softened in translation to television. The production is presented by McCarter Theatre in collaboration with Soulpepper Theatre Company and Adam Blanshay Productions, in association with American Conservatory Theater, underscoring its national significance.

Direction for this run is by Weyni Mengesha, whose work has been widely praised for its sensitivity and clarity in handling stories rooted in cultural specificity while speaking to universal themes. Under her guidance, the Berlind Theatre becomes an extension of the neighborhood corner store at the center of the play, a space where humor, conflict, and affection coexist in equal measure.

Adding to the excitement surrounding the production, McCarter has announced additional performances due to strong early demand. Tuesday evening shows have been added on February 3 and February 10, both beginning at 7:30 pm, expanding access for audiences eager to experience the production. Select performances will feature James Yi in the role of Appa, including afternoon and morning matinees that are expected to draw a wide cross-section of theatergoers.

The partnership with Woo Ri Mart elevates the experience beyond the auditorium. As a trusted fixture in West Windsor, the grocery store represents the kind of family-run business that anchors communities and preserves cultural traditions across generations. By aligning with Woo Ri Mart, McCarter is acknowledging the real-life counterparts to the fictional Kim family and creating opportunities for cultural exchange, education, and celebration around the production. For audiences, this connection reinforces the authenticity of the story unfolding on stage.

This approach reflects a broader trend within New Jersey’s performing arts landscape, where theaters are increasingly serving as hubs for civic engagement and cultural dialogue. McCarter’s willingness to extend the reach of Kim’s Convenience into the surrounding community aligns with the spirit found throughout the state’s vibrant arts scene, as highlighted across Explore New Jersey’s coverage of local performance and culture within its theatre and performing arts section. The result is an experience that feels both intimate and expansive, honoring a specific cultural story while welcoming audiences of all backgrounds.

Kim’s Convenience ultimately asks timely questions about legacy, belonging, and the cost of holding on in a rapidly changing world. As redevelopment pressures mount and generational values collide, the Kim family’s story reflects the challenges faced by countless families across New Jersey and beyond. McCarter Theatre’s presentation ensures those questions are explored with warmth, humor, and respect, while its partnership with Woo Ri Mart grounds the production in the lived reality of the community it represents.

When the lights dim at the Berlind Theatre this winter, audiences will not just be watching a play that inspired a television hit. They will be stepping into a shared cultural space where storytelling, community, and heritage intersect, reaffirming McCarter Theatre’s role as one of New Jersey’s most vital artistic institutions.