Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...But “Zac Efron” is mostly about warmth and positivity, both qualities that Tan, especially, exudes. Here you have a 85-minute comedy show, expertly staged in a nightlife district, that would be a good time for all kinds of folks maybe heading later to one of Old Town’s bars or eateries. I laughed my face half off."
Chicago Reader - Recommended
"...The play is at its best when addressing the generational divide between the men and their respective Chinese and Korean parents, rather than listing the inequities their race and orientation subject them to. The first feels lived-in and felt, while the other, though undoubtedly valid, comes off as talking points. The sincere moments, especially toward the end, are the most compelling. By that time, the earlier slapstick is mostly forgotten."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Token Theatre's world premiere production of Zac Efron by David Rhee - co-written by Wai Yim and directed by Alan Muraoka - is not about Zac Efron at all, beyond recognizing that he's a cookie-cutter hot white man. The play spotlights a gay Asian-American love story and the pair's rise to internet fame amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Though this 90-minute comedy has a few bumps and hiccups, it is the start of something magnificent."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...The dynamic chemistry between Wai Yim and Hansel Tan on stage was incredible. Their performances were masterful, delivering charm, wit, and several moments of enthralling emotional depth that resonated with the audience. Yim is a powerful and persuasive performer, skillfully engaging the audience with his endearing personality. He effortlessly evokes a range of emotions, eliciting laughter and tears and portraying deep emotional pain in scenes with his mother, portrayed with brilliance by Wai Ching Ho as Mrs. Yim."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Marvelously poignant and outrageously funny, Token Theatre’s “Zac Efron” is bound to put a smile on your face while it reveals deep truths about what it means to be an Asian American living in New York City during the COVID-19 crisis. This world premiere production, brilliantly written by David Rhee, tells a story that can be understood on many different levels."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...The manic, almost farcical bantering and comic interactions between Wai Yim and Hansel Tan are the best moments. Both talented actors, each possessing a strong comic timing, are equally excellent. In addition to being lots of fun, David Rhee’s new play is an eyeopening, realistic look at the discrimination that plague Asian-Americans, as well as many other gay minorities. And this play reminds us how important it is to first love yourself, so that you can fully love someone else."
