Will you be my friend (2018)
A MUsical satire: World premiere
MAY 9 - 20, 2018 IN KITCHENER
OCT 25 - NOV 11, 2018 WITH THE SUPPORT OF THEATRE PASSE MURAILLE
The Registry Theatre, 122 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON
Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Ave, Toronto, ON
AWARD-WINNING ARTIST JANICE JO LEE STARS IN A MUSICAL COMEDY ABOUT THE JOURNEY TO FIND HER PLACE IN KITCHENER AS A STRONG, EMPOWERED, KOREAN WOMAN.
Dr. West, Pluto's leading expert on Earthian Friendiology, presents the findings from his latest experiment on Lonely Entity 1, the patient Janice Joanne Sung Hae Lee.
Janice volunteered to be a part of the program because she was lonely and out of options. Mike is a charming and handsome white guy who is always looking for a way to “give back”, and so volunteers to be a part of the program and is paired with Janice despite Janice’s friend Leila’s protestations.
The play is largely inspired by Janice’s personal experiences living in Waterloo Region. This is a satire exploring how a dominant culture can program people to erase their sense of self, their ancestors, and their identity.
reviews
Will You Be My Friend gets the audience to laugh and squirm for the answer
— ★★★☆ The Toronto Star | Carly Maga, Nov 1, 2018
Will You Be My Friend introduces an artist with something to say... and sing
— NNNN NOW Magazine | Glenn Sumi, Nov 2, 2018
Janice Jo Lee’s play tackles white supremacy with brutal honesty but also song and humour, is now playing in Toronto
Mooney on Theatre | Ilana Lucas, Nov 3, 2018
Originally titled The White Supremacy Smackdown, the show was changed to Will You Be My Friend to make it more accessible to audiences
Ricepaper Magazine | Nov 9, 2018
Lee is a remarkable, irresistible performer and Will You Be My Friend is required viewing in the midst of our current debacle of a tribal political climate. The entire audience would be honoured to be Lee's friend, none of us would be brave enough to believe we deserved to be. — ★★★★☆ My Gay Toronto | Drew Rowsome, Oct 31, 2018
Photo by Graham Isador
Toronto creative team
Written & Performed, with Original Music by JANICE JO LEE
Directed and Developed by MATT WHITE
Set & Costume Design by JULIA KIM
Lighting Design by PAUL CEGYS
Stage Management by LIN-MEI LAY
Music Arranged by JONI NEHRITA
Production Management by LAURA JOHNSON
kitchener creative Team
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Janice Jo Lee
Writer & Performer
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matt white
Director & Developer
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Julia kim
Set & Costume Designer
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Paul Cegys
Lighting Designer
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Joni nehrita
Music Arranger
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Nicole Lee Quesnel
Production Manager
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Darius Hahn
Stage Manager
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carin lowerison
Choreographer & Producer
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briski
Technical Director
