Growing up in Toronto, actor and playwright Ins Choi often felt destined to be a preacher. His grandfather and father were both men of the cloth. After graduating with a theatre degree from York University, Choi earned a master’s degree in theological studies at Wycliffe College.
“I kind of fell into creative writing and playwrighting, poetry, and songs,” Choi tells Pancouver over Zoom.
In Ins Choi: Son of a Preacherman, the Kim’s Convenience playwright will bring all of these artforms together at Pacific Theatre in Vancouver. He doesn’t want to give away too many details in advance of the world premiere of Preacherman on Wednesday (April 2). However, he is willing to disclose that this Kaitlin Williams–directed show includes his short stories. They carry such titles as “Asian Roles and Role Models”, “My Grandfather’s Curse of Death”, and “Son of a Preacherman”.
“It’s stories of my grandfather, who was a preacher in Korea, and stories of my dad. He was a preacher in Korea and then came to Toronto when I was one year’s old and planted a church in downtown Toronto,” Choi states. “There are stories of growing up and some of the pressures. I would consider it a comedy, but there are some real heartfelt moments.”
He will also share his poetry. “Get Started” and “My Dad Is Just My Dad” are two examples. And he will be joined on-stage by two musician-actors, Ben Elliott and Rachel Anco, as he performs a bunch of original songs, including “Birkenstock Jesus” and “Bruce Lee’s Best Friend”.
“That gives you a little bit of a flavour,” Choi notes.
Choi shaped by father’s example
Choi sees great similarities between his theatre work and his father’s calling as a pastor. He points out that his dad would get into his “costume” and go on-stage every week for his “matinee gig” on Sunday mornings. In a similar vein, Choi dons his costume when he performs theatre work.
“I watched my dad read books and then collect information, write a first draft of something like his sermon, and then edit the hell out of it,” Choi recalls. “I would hear him rehearse and then I would see him perform it in front of an audience. That’s exactly what I do.”
Moreover, his father forged bonds between people through the church. This parallels what Choi does as a theatre artist. Both father and son have stood in front of audiences that collectively laughed, gasped, or felt a sense of wonder in response to their words.
“It just brings about a sense of community and that we’re not alone in this world,” Choi explains. “We’re all enjoying the same thing at the same time in real time as opposed to watching a movie on Netflix where you’re isolated.”
Father and son feel drawn to stories with grand subjects. Choi says that he grew up listening to Bible stories—and this has influenced his writing. He points out that the Bible often touches on what he calls “dark and dirty” topics, including destitution, as well as hope and redemption.
“I feel like that may be the biggest way I’ve been influenced by my faith; I’m drawn to those types of themes,” he acknowledges.
At the same time, Choi tries to treat other people with respect, which is another cornerstone of the faith.
Pacific Theatre presented Choi’s work before
His father retired many years ago. However, at the age of 90, his dad still has his wits about him, according to Choi.
“He still has a weekly preaching gig at a long-term care facility in Toronto, where there is a lot of elderly Koreans,” the playwright continues. “My mom leads them in some singing. He loves doing it.”
Similarly, Choi retains his enthusiasm for the theatre after more than a quarter-century of writing and/or performing in such shows as Alligator Pie, Bad Parent, and The Beats and the Breaks. His first Pacific Theatre production was his solo show Subway Stations of the Cross, which he performed in the 2014-15 season. Then in the 2018-19 season, Williams directed Kim’s Convenience at Pacific Theatre.
In 2020, Williams became artistic director of Pacific Theatre, and she approached Choi about doing a show for the 2024-25 season. At the time, Choi confessed that he didn’t have a play ready for the stage.
“She said, ‘What about your songs? How about it? Like a concert.’ So, I said ‘yes’,” Choi says.
He recalled seeing Nadleh Whut’en musician Cheryl Bear’s The Way to the River in Vancouver, which included songs and witty stories from her life.
“I just found it really engaging and entertaining and touching, so I took that as a cue. And I was, like, ‘Okay, I’ll do something like that.’ ”
Pacific Theatre will present the world premiere of Ins Choi: Son of a Preacherman from April 2 to 13. For tickets and more information, visit the Pacific Theatre website.
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