Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
Playwright Paul Sun-Hyung Lee work entitled, 'Dangling', is being read during the fu-GEN Asian-Canadian Theatre Company’s annual Potluck Festival May 3 to 9.
Photo/COURTESY
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee's first play isn't your typical immigrant story, but it's his story and he's excited to share it.
The East York resident's piece, Dangling, will be part of the seventh annual Potluck Festival presented by the fu-GEN Asian-Canadian Theatre Company, in association with Factory Theatre. The festival runs from May 3 to 9.
The new play development festival is dedicated to showcasing the vibrant works of Asian-Canadian playwrights. Lee, who came to Canada from Korea with his parents when he was three months old, has been involved in the festival in the past as an actor, but this the first time a piece he's written has been included.
"It's my love letter to the game of hockey," he explained.
Loosely based on his own life and experience with the game, Lee said the story follows a guy in his late 30s with a great life - "except he sucks at hockey" - and his transition from boyhood to manhood when he finds out his girlfriend is pregnant.
"It's not your standard immigrant story," he said.
Having spent his life in Canada and grown up playing street hockey in Calgary, Lee said he identifies himself as Canadian. He finds the usual immigrant stories told on stage are usually historical and he doesn't relate to them.
"A lot of time I don't see my story reflected on stage...This story is Canadian, the guy on stage just happens to be Asian," he said.
It's also just a good piece of writing, Lee said.
"I think it's one of the best things I've written," he said. "It's really funny."
The piece started in a workshop with fu-Gen and Lee is looking forward to it being read in its entirety by actors to a crowd. He loves hearing the words he's written and even more so people laughing at them in all the right places.
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to explore my voice as a writer," he said.
Lee enjoyed writing when he was younger, but once he started at the University of Toronto he fell in love with acting. He was "Randy Ko" in the show Train 48 and has also appeared in The Jane Show, Billable Hours, and This is Wonderland. He's also appeared in several movies, including a supporting role in "Ice Princess." He hopes to write more in the future.
Dangling takes place at the Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst St., on Thursday, May 6 at 8 p.m.