New Maggie Lee Play Shines at Seattle Public Theater

Belinda Fu and Ina Chang in Once More Just For You / Joe Iano Photography

Two women meet—one younger, one older. They are strangers, each going outside of her comfort zone, not sure what, if anything, will come of it. Both are taking a chance, going beyond the routine trajectory of their lives. And so begins Once More, Just for You, Seattle Public Theater’s world premiere of Maggie Lee’s newest play. It’s her seventh collaboration with director Amy Poisson. This lovingly created production, filled with heart and humor, explores the deepest questions of life through the tender portrait of the relationships between three women and the time machine that brings them together. 

Rae has hired Yoori to come over each day to play the piano; the music will help her work, she says. Both women delicately, awkwardly, genuinely try to make sense of the other—it’s as if they come from two different worlds, and it’s not too long before we discover that in many ways, they do. Yoori is a Korean-born woman who has come to America to study to be a pharmacist, fulfilling her parents’ dream for her. A self-effacing young woman, her only aspirations are to honor her family and please her boyfriend, even if that means giving up her passion for becoming a worthy pianist. Rae, on the other hand, is a single woman who has lived long enough to no longer care what others think of her. She’s determined to achieve her most recent goal, no matter what the cost. 

As Rae and Yoori begin to bond over several visits, exquisite details of each life begin to emerge. Watching the play feels like a fascinating first date; we lean in, eager to learn more and delight in all the discoveries along the way. But being a Maggie Lee play—a writer known for her ability to create fantastical worlds—we suspect that not everything is as straightforward as it seems and sure enough, we’re soon transported, along with Rae, in a time machine carrying us decades into the future.

As it turns out, Rae is an inventor, who has chosen to go back in time to fix one small thing that she urgently hopes will make all the difference. Rae’s assistant Sloane does her best to keep Rae’s health and energy up (time travel can be quite exhausting and hazardous after all). 

Playing to a sold-out crowd on opening night, the electricity of anticipation filled the theater as the lights went down and the audience laughed out loud at the gloriously bold opening line, then joined the heart-felt journey with the characters from beginning to end. Ina Chang (Rae) exudes a quirky, confident, and wonderfully disheveled demeanor that makes her a most likable protagonist worth rooting for. Rae is the central character and as we begin to realize why she’s so desperate to accomplish what she’s set out to do; our hearts expand triple-fold in hoping that she will make the difference she aspires to. Pearl Lam offers a richly nuanced depth in her portrayal of a very inhibited and self-deprecating Yoori. It’s aching and beautiful to watch as Yoori observes and takes everything in, wrestles with what to do, then squelches her impulses as she determines she’s less than worthy. A shared moment over a mutual love of lemon meringue pie exemplifies the genuine chemistry that evolves between the two. And Belinda Fu as Sloane brings a refreshingly easy-going delivery that’s both comedic and compassionate. The three together bring out the most of a beautifully layered script. 

Director Amy Poisson has pulled together a stellar production team as well, all of whom share credit in creating the simple yet effective portrayal of two time periods. The scenic design by Parmida Ziaei depicts a living room of the past, the basement science lab in the present, and the time portal in-between. The cool gadgetry in the lab comes to life with the support of Props Designer Robin Macartney. Sound Designer Rob Witmer and Lighting Designer Dani Norberg have created a sound and light scape that magically conjures the sense of travel through time. And the costumes by designer Leny Shen evoke the essence of each character perfectly. Additional support behind the scenes include Stage Manager Bailey Dobbins, Assistant Stage Manager Melodie Gorow, Technical Director Dave Hastings, Assistant Technical Director Garrett Dill, and Understudy Alina Sunoo. 

Lee has written a script and Poisson has facilitated a production that lets the play speak directly to our hearts. If we had the opportunity to change one thing in our life, what would that be? Would it be for ourselves or for someone we love? Or is it possible to do something that might change us both in the process? For anyone who is an immigrant or grew up with immigrant parents, there is much to relate to. How can we feel the freedom to follow our own dreams when our parents have sacrificed so much to give us the opportunity in the first place? This story will also hit a chord for those who often feel the responsibility of taking care of everyone else’s needs before their own. But this isn’t simply an immigrant play or a feminist one, it’s a play about being human—about living life and making mistakes and striving to make the right choices, but never being sure if we’re making the right ones and whether it makes any difference to anyone else if we do. 

This show leaves one with hope, but hope can only become reality if it’s acted upon. Maybe by making that long put-off phone call or reaching out to reconnect. Or possibly pondering if you’re living the life you’re meant to live? And if you aren’t, what’s stopping you? Perhaps it’s as simple as paying more attention to the people or things we’ve taken for granted, and realizing that there might still be a chance to do that one thing you’ve been wondering about to change the trajectory of what’s possible. While there’s still time. How will we know if we don’t at least try?

Once More, Just for You runs through February 25, 2024 at Seattle Public Theater, Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. Run time is 90 minutes without intermission. Tickets: www.seattlepublictheater.org/oncemore.