Family Matters In The Black Rep’s Witty Chicken And Biscuits
The family prays before Reverend Jenkins funeral in Chicken and Biscuits at The Black Rep, photo by Keshon Campbell.
The 48th season of The Black Rep opens with Chicken and Biscuits, a laugh out loud funny play by Douglas Lyons featuring a charmingly contentious family and an unexpected guest. The well acted, briskly paced dramedy mixes faith, family, and acceptance with enough empathy and comedy to keep audiences in good spirits.
Sisters Baneatta Mabry and Beverly Jenkins are gathering with their families and church members to bury their father, the Reverend Jenkins, at his home church. Even before the two women see each other, their bickering, competitive sibling rivalry announces itself in no uncertain terms. Baneatta’s husband Reginald Mabry is the incoming pastor and nervous about delivering his father-in-law’s eulogy as his first funeral service. Cousins La’Trice Franklin and Simone and Kenny Mabry are grieving their grandfather while dealing with their own issues — Kenny’s boyfriend Logan doubts he should be here — and then Brianna Jenkins shows up. A well-choreographed pandemonium breaks out in the middle of the service; the second act untangles the mess and ties it into a hopeful bow.
Denise Thimes and Paulette Dawn create fireworks and genuine chemistry as seemingly polar opposite sisters Baneatta and Beverly, who goes by Bev. They fight and pick at each other constantly, but there’s a strong connection that’s supported by a lifetime of love. Their spirit and tenacity are reflected in their children and lovingly tolerated by Baneatta’s husband. Director Ron Himes and the talented cast bring all the conflicting emotions, abundant faith, and deep, calming breaths to life in thoughtfully well-developed characters. Thimes is regal, educated, and opinionated to the point of passing judgment with a well-timed dismissive gesture or eye roll. Underneath that tough exterior is the heart of a big sister who genuinely cares, often putting others’ needs above her own. Dawn, as little sister Bev, is curvy, vivacious, and looking for her next husband with an unabashed joie de vivre and infectiously mischievous sense of adventure. Although she doesn’t show it often, she very much cares what others think of her, especially her big sister.
There’s a lot going on with this family, and Himes and the cast dig deep to create characters that feel whole and realistic. As Simone Mabry, Alex Jay shows compassion and grace with others while struggling with her own heartbreak. Cameron Jamarr Davis, as Simone’s brother Kenny Mabry, is compelling, conflicted, relatable, and likeable as an adult gay man wanting acceptance and acknowledgment from his family — and his faith. A.C. Smith is supportive and a little nervous as Reginald Mabry, but he’s a peacekeeper at heart, and, as Brianna Jenkins, Delisa Richardson is kind, surprisingly forgiving, and a welcome beacon of change and forward movement. Finally, Kaylyn McKoy, as La’Trice Franklin, and Jacob Schmidt, as Kenny’s boyfriend Logan, shine in several small moments that linger as “the sweetest things I’ve heard” all day.
The scenic design, by Timothy Jones, moves quickly and easily, shifting settings without interrupting the pacing while Ethan Steimel’s lighting design and Andre Harrington’s costumes enhance the story and add supporting detail to the characters. Kareem Deames hits all the right highs and lows with a sound design that invites you into the family’s world from the moment you enter the theater. The choir soloist’s rendition of “Amazing Grace” is truly unforgettable and La’Trice’s rap at the end of Act I shows the16-year-old’s passion and lyrical promise with a sense of authentic spontaneity. Crisply versed and almost flawlessly executed by McKoy, the moment expresses the character to perfection and is just one example of the mindfulness and character development present in the thoroughly entertaining play.
Like a favorite family recipe, Chicken and Biscuits, continuing at The Black Rep through January 26, has a familiar warmth and comfort, liberally sprinkled with genuinely funny exchanges and heartfelt belly laughs. The family is likeable, perhaps more so because of all their quirks and quibbles, and their story is touchingly realistic and relatable. Suitable for all but the youngest family members, the play is an enjoyable evening of theater that will particularly appeal to fans of family-based, humorous storytelling.
