What I liked
The casting: The lead, Courteny Yuen (as Ho-Jung Kim), was a great choice. Her performance was strong and convincing. There were others among the supporting cast also, Alayne Scott (as Counselor Cooper) among them, whose satisfying, nuanced deliveries contributed well.
What I didn't like
Unclear diction — but only at times: When some moments don’t quite land, it’s sometimes difficult to chalk it up to inexperience on the part of (some of) the cast, or the limitations of a staged reading as opposed to a finished production. Regardless, though, clear diction is always paramount. If we can’t hear the words, we’re likely to miss the impact.
My overall impression
It was a staged reading, but the characters really came through. The story involved multiple issues and themes — family, cultural, and social dynamics — and was well told, offering moments of powerful emotional impact, with sprinklings of humor as well. An impressive accomplishment from a first-time playwright!
