Reviews: The King of the Yees, Signature Theatre (VA)

While infusing warmth into break-the-fourth-wall moments — we’re treated as the audience at the play-within-the play — the cast aces the show’s comedy, including slapstick and wisecracks about showbiz… Jacob Yeh is particularly hilarious as a swaggering gangster named Shrimp Boy… 

The Washington Post

National Endowment for the Arts, “Art Works” Interview with Sylvia Kwan and Jacob Yeh

Jacob Yeh, whose performances are always a guaranteed laugh, was quite charming impersonating Lauren’s father and ridiculously absurd as the gang leader Shrimp Boy. 

Unprofessional Opinion

The supporting cast is especially strong. Sylvia Kwan and Jacob Yeh as Actors 1 and 2 take on multiple roles—even a lion dance. Their scenes are fast-paced and hilarious…Yeh accesses his trademark swagger…

Maryland Theatre Guide

Kwan and Yeh, both playing the actors from the opening scenes, are pitch-perfect…

DC Theater Arts
WETA Best Bets Around Town – “King of the Yees”

Every other character in the show (which includes a multitude of Chinatown residents, a dragon, and even an ancient ancestor) are played by just three actors. Listed in the program as simply Actor 1 – Jacob Yeh, Actor 2 – Sylvia Kwan, Actor 3 – Nicholas Yenson, these three incredibly talented actors pull off one of the hardest feats in the world of theater: they make you forget that they are only three actors playing multiple roles. At the end of the evening, I could not tell you who played which part, they were that good! Each character that they portrayed was so distinct, well rounded and had its own harmonic chemistry with each other character it was easy to forget this was not a cast of 20 or more. The energy level that these actors maintained– without once betraying each individual character’s own special moments– was astonishing. There is no denying that this is a strong script, but one that demands a very special cast to embody- and which I believe this production has.

Theatre Bloom

Who really ties the production together are Actors 1/2/3 (Jacob Yeh, Sylvia Kwan, and Nicholas Yenson). Each playing several characters, the range that this trio delivers is the energy source of the action, providing conflict, comic relief, tension, and focal points all at once across both acts. Particularly impressive are Jacob Yeh as Shrimp Boy (⚡⚡), a local gangster, as well as the actor playing Larry in Lauren’s play.

Drew Morris

Executing Yee’s stellar script is a very strong cast

Broadway World

Her approach results in a super-fast pace and highly physical comedy executed perfectly by its super talented, very much in sync cast.

Whisk and Quill
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