Mike Payette, Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre and Executive Director Lisa Li are excited to announce the world premiere of Benevolence, a World Premiere Tarragon Theatre Production, presented in association with Why Not Theatre and Broadleaf Creative. The piece, created and performed by Kevin Matthew Wong, runs in the Extraspace from April 8 - May 4, 2025, opening April 16.

Kevin Matthew Wong’s deeply personal piece, Benevolence, which first sprouted onto the scene as a work in progress at Tarragon’s Greenhouse Festival, makes its full-length world premiere this spring. Benevolence is the culmination of what has become a universe of projects for Wong, including prior appearances across Toronto with the Dora-Award Winning Benevolence Hall art installation presented by Toronto History Museums and Why Not Theatre, and the Benevolence documentary, created through Reel Asian’s Unsung Voices Program in 2023 and screened at Bali’s Minikino Film Week in 2024. A tryptic of multidisciplinary works, the Benevolence theatrical play continues Wong’s exploration of guesthood within his own Hakka (客家) identity, and the idea of cultural legacy.

The theatrical play of Benevolence that will be on the Tarragon stage comes to life through a rich tapestry of projection design and storytelling. Through the process of writing a play for Hakka elders in Toronto, Wong goes on a journey of discovering his Hakka identity, how he can carry forward its legacy, and how one’s relationship to their community varies from generation to generation. With humour and charm, Wong weaves a quintessentially Canadian narrative that unfolds across time and continents – one which reflects the experiences of many children of immigrants.

“Kevin Matthew Wong is one of the most unique creators in the city; with a skillful ability to transport audiences to imaginative worlds and through stories we hold dearly to our hearts,” reflects Artistic Director Mike Payette. “Benevolence is a testament to one person's journey of self re-discovery against a backdrop of profound love for family and community.”

Benevolence is created and performed by Kevin Matthew Wong (Broadleaf Creative’s The Chemical Valley Project). With set & lighting design by Echo Zhou 周芷會 (Tarragon’s Behind the Moon), sound design by Chris Ross-Ewart (Tarragon’s Yaga), assistant sound design by Olivia Wheeler (Tarragon’s Three Women of Swatow), video assistance and editing by Noel Pendawa (Broadleaf Creative’s Benevolence Hall), and dramaturgy by Yizhou Zhang (Marat/Sade (Beijing)).

Benevolence is on stage in the Extraspace April 8 - May 4, 2025, opening April 16.

Benevolence

A World Premiere Tarragon Theatre Production

In association with Why Not Theatre and Broadleaf Creative

Created and Performed by Kevin Matthew Wong

Extraspace

April 8 - May 4, 2025 (opening April 16)

Kevin is a theatre creator. Kevin is Hakka (客家)… he thinks.

Out of the blue, he gets a phone call asking him to write a play about Hakka identity. For seniors. In Markham.

From creator and performer Kevin Matthew Wong (The Chemical Valley Project) comes a charming and intimate story that transforms into a layered Chinese-Canadian tale spanning continents, migrations, and generations.

CAST + CREW

created/written/projection design and performance by Kevin Matthew Wong (he/him)

set & lighting design by Echo Zhou 周芷會 (she/they)

sound design by Chris Ross-Ewart (he/him)

assistant sound design by Olivia Wheeler (she/her)

video assistance and editing by Noel Pendawa (he/him/they/them)

direction consulting by Mike Payette (he/him)

dramaturgy by Yizhou Zhang (she/her)

stage management by Tara Mohan (she/her)

apprentice stage management by Kayleigh Mundy (she/her)

To confirm performance times for Benevolence check the full schedule.

Single Tickets range from $15 - $72 and can be purchased online at tarragontheatre.com, or by phone at 416-531-1827. Discounts are available for students, groups and arts workers. Contact the box office for more information.

Tarragon offers the most flexible subscription packages in the city with significant discounts on subscription pricing. Plus, allowing patrons to choose their productions, change their dates free of charge. Visit the website or call Patron Services today for more information.

Rush tickets are sold for $35, by phone, in person or online via tickets.tarragontheatre.com starting 3 hours before the performance. Rush tickets are subject to availability.

For more information on Tarragon’s events and activities, visit tarragontheatre.com.