When he was mapping out the shows of the Black Rep’s 48th season, he decided to follow up the fall musical with a comedy, because he “figured audiences might need one.”
He couldn’t have known how right he would be.
“I felt like with what we are getting ready to go through in the next few days with this country, we need a break,” Himes said. “And I think that this play is perfect for that.”
“There are times when I pick shows as the producer. This show is a producer’s pick,” said Himes. “And what I mean by that is that this is a show that will do well at the box office. It will give our audiences a play that they can come to the theater and enjoy themselves. It’s trauma free. It is Black joy, Black love, Black family and all of that.”
As the world braces for Donald Trump to once again assume office, St. Louis audiences will have the opportunity for a momentary escape by way of “Chicken & Biscuits.” The acclaimed play by award-winning playwright Douglas Lyons opened this week – with Friday, January 9 as opening night after Wednesday and Thursday previews. It continues through January 26 at Wash U.’s Edison Theatre.
The play revolves around two rival sisters of the Jenkins family. They are preparing to lay its patriarch to rest. “It is about a family coming together and healing,” Himes said. “In a lot of ways, it’s like a family reunion – as many black funerals are. It is a time when families come together. It’s loving and healing, and funny.”
“Chicken & Biscuits” premiered on Broadway in 2021. The show was among the first productions to return to Broadway in the wake of the pandemic. Television veteran and St. Louis native Cleo King was among the stars of the original Broadway production. Mass audiences were slow to return to theaters, and the show closed after a couple of months.
But that’s not where the story of “Chicken & Biscuits” ends. Local and regional theaters staged productions of the play across the nation. So much so that, according to Lyons, the play was the second most produced play in America in 2022-23. Himes says the statistic speaks to the play’s broad appeal.
“There are times when I pick shows as the producer. This show is a producer’s pick,” said Himes. “And what I mean by that is that this is a show that will do well at the box office. It will give our audiences a play that they can come to the theater and enjoy themselves. It’s trauma free. It is Black joy, Black love, Black family and all of that.”
And this production is not only for Blacks, but by Blacks.
“We can tell a broad range of stories and we can put a broad range of characters on stage,” Himes said of his company and fellow Black theater producers across the country. “We can deal with the most serious subject matter and topics and issues. But at the same time, we can sing and dance and we can do comedy.”
Himes points to previous Black Rep shows as an example of Black theatre’s versatility.
“We’ve done classic American plays like ‘Death of a Salesman,’” Himes said. “We’ve done Shakespeare. And we’ve done a wide range of plays by Black writers,” Himes said.
According to him, Black theater companies should be considered a critical element of cultural landscapes because, among other things, they are willing to give voice to writers who otherwise might not have a platform.
Providing agency to writers as they emerge is one of the most fulfilling – and exciting – of Himes’ duties as a producer of Black theater.
So is providing opportunities for the actors who embody the roles of the playwrights. “Chicken & Biscuits” is no exception.
“We have A.C. Smith and Denise Thimes. We have Alex Jay and Cameron Davis,” said Himes, who also directs the production. “They have been in hard-hitting black rep productions – and bring a wealth of talent, creativity and range to these characters. It allows them to elevate the characters, and the work.”
The cast of “Chicken & Biscuits” is rounded out by Kaylyn McCoy, Paulette Dawn, Jacob Schmidt, Cameron Jamarr Davis and Delisa Richardson.
The Black Rep’s presentation of “Chicken & Biscuits” runs through January 26th at Washington University’s Edison Theatre, 6465 Forsyth Blvd. For more information, call 314-534-3807 or visit www.theblackrep.rog.
Living It content is produced in partnership with Regional Arts Commission.
