King of the Yees is a semi-autobiographical play that offers a rollercoaster journey through Chinatown in San Francisco, and Chinese culture in America. The play focuses on Lauren Yee, a dramatized version of the playwright, who is trying to get her new play rehearsed, and up and running. However her father, Larry, appears and disrupts rehearsals, unaware that he is the main focus of the play. Lauren loves her father deeply but is frustrated and bemused by his dedication to the patriarchal Yee Fung Toy Family Association, a male-only club dedicated to preserving the Yee line and cultural history. Instead, Lauren is cynical about his stories of the their ancient ancestor, Yee Fung Toy, and wants to celebrate modern-day Chinese culture in America, recognizing its evolution and the contemporary face of Chinatown. However, when her father goes missing, Lauren’s search takes her on a fantastical journey through modern-day Chinatown, and back into her historical ancestry, to find out where her father has gone. This epic ride through space and time enables Lauren to finally understand and respect her father’s dedication to the family history and cultural bonds with the past. Supported by an additional cast of three actors playing a variety of roles, Lauren’s journey is both funny and heartwarming.
King of the Yees guide sections
