Chicken and Biscuits
by Douglas Lyons
Directed by Ron Himes
The Black Rep
January 11, 2025
Cast of Chicken and Biscuits
Photo by Keshon Campbell
The Black Rep
Comedy and awkward family dynamics are on the menu in the Black Rep’s newest production, Chicken and Biscuits by Douglas Lyons, directed by Ron Himes. There are tensions between siblings, parents and children, and hidden secrets are exposed, and it all happens at a funeral. It’s an ideally cast show with a brisk pace and many memorable moments, and lots of laugh-out-loud comedy even considering the setting.
The program for the performance also includes a funeral program remembering Bernard Jenkins, the recently deceased pastor of the church in New Haven, CT that is now being pastored by his son-in-law, Reginald Mabry (A.C. Green), who is married to Bernard’s eldest daughter, the somewhat strait-laced Baneatta (Denise Thimes), who is anxious about the funeral for several reasons, and who has had a strained relationship with her more unconventional sister, Beverly (Paulette Dawn), who is attending the funeral with her fame-seeking teenage daughter, aspiring rapper La’Trice (Kaylyn McKoy). The sisters and their children haven’t seen each other since their mother’s funeral a decade ago, and old resentments linger, as newer ones also continue involving Baneatta’s adult children Kenny (Cameron Jamarr Davis) and Simone (Alex Jay). Kenny’s long-term boyfriend Logan (Jacob Schmidt)–who is white and Jewish–feels out of place for various reasons, especially since Baneatta hasn’t accepted his relationship with Kenny and seems to deliberately get his name wrong. Meanwhile, Reginald is nervous about giving the eulogy for his much-lauded and loved father-in-law, who was also his mentor. Much hilarity ensues as personalities clash, tensions threaten to boil over, and a latecomer to the proceedings, Brianna (Delisa Richardson) arrives with a surprising secret of her own.
This show manages to be both an intriguing relationship story and a fast-paced comedy at the same time, with moments of poignancy to punctuate the humor, and some fun staging moments involving music and movement reminiscent of a music video or TV show montage. The sound design by Kareem Deanes adds much to the atmosphere, as does Ethan Steimel’s lighting, along with Andre Harrington’s detailed costume design, Mikhail Lynn’s props and Tim Jones’s versatile set. Director Himes has paced the show just right, as well, with all elements blending together into the right combination of humor, heart, pandemonium, and eventually a strong dose of hope.
There’s a great cast here, led by Thimes as the particular, somewhat controlling Baneatta, who can be difficult at times, but Thimes manages to bring sympathy to her situation and a great deal of presence. As the more outspoken sister, Beverly, Paulette Dawn is a delight, bringing a good deal of energy and comic timing to the role, and the two are believable as sisters who frequently clash, but ultimately seem to want their relationship to work. There’s also excellent work from McKoy as the somewhat brash young La’Trice, Jay as the unhappily single Simone, Davis as the determined, creative Kenny, and Schmidt as the perpetually anxious but kind-hearted Logan. Smith is also strong as Reginald, who often gets to be the calm one amidst the chaos, and a uniting voice in the midst of the tension. Richardson also turns in a fine performance as the mysterious Brianna. It’s a strong cast all around, with excellent chemistry and timing that drives both the humor and makes the relationships compelling.
This is a fun, fast-paced, fascinating play, exploring family drama that many audience members will be able to relate to, while also presenting a specific cultural setting with vivid detail. The characters are well-drawn, and even the unseen, late pastor Bernard is a fully realized character. Chicken and Biscuits is a lively start for the new year at the Black Rep, paving the way for a promising slate of shows in the rest of the season.
Paulette Dawn, Cameron Jamarr Davis, Jacob Schmidt, Denise Thimes
Photo by Keshon Campbell
The Black Rep
The Black Rep is presenting Chicken and Biscuits at Washington University’s Edison Theatre until January 26, 2025