Chicken & Biscuits
By Douglas Lyons
September 28th – October 30th, 2022
Single tickets on sale now!
Directed by Cycerli Ash-Barlocker
Assistant Directed by: Charles Grant
Run Time: 1hr 50min, with a 15 minute intermission.
Doors Open: One hour before the performance starts.
Previews: September 28th, 29th & 30th.
Opening: October 1st
BIPOC Nights: Wed October 5th, 7.30pm, Sun October 16th, 2pm, Fri October 21st, 7.30pm
ASL Night: October 20th, 2022
Content Warning: Underage teen using a weed pen, Open casket, Adult language and situations; cigarette smoke.
Age Guidance: This play may not be appropriate for those 13 and under. However, we ask that parents and guardians use their own best judgement when deciding if this play is suitable for their child.
Covid Policies: Portland Playhouse still requires masks at all events. However, we no longer require proof of vaccination, and have removed all testing requirements for audiences. Learn more about our current COVID-19 safety practices & policies here.
About
Coming to Portland Playhouse from Broadway, A family comedy that’ll leave you begging for seconds…
Join Baneatta and Beverly as they gather to celebrate the life of Daddy. Baneatta’s praying for a peaceful reunion, despite all the spice her family brings. But, in the middle of all the chaos, a family secret walks in and the pot boils over.
Meet The Family
Baneatta: Just wants to bury Daddy right…
Reginald: Baneatta’s husband, who’s trying to keep the peace & write the eulogy…
Simone: Baneatta & Reginald’s daughter, and Baneatta’s favorite (that’s not the secret)…
Kenny: Baneatta & Reginald’s son. He’s fabulous and knows it…
Logan: Kenny’s very white, very Jewish Boyfriend…
Beverly: Baneatta’s sister, showing up to church ready to show just what God has blessed her with…
La’Trice: Beverly’s daughter, who just can’t help but stir the pot…
And… a family secret that’s been cooking for SO. MANY. YEARS.
BIPOC Performances
This season, we are continuing to dedicate performances in every production to patrons who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color (BIPOC). On these evenings, we invite people who identify as such to come to the Playhouse and be in a space that centers the experience of a person from the Global Majority (80% of the world population is BIPOC) in our theatre which, like much of American theatre, has been mostly occupied by white people. These performances are also open to multi-racial family members and partners, including those who are white. Tickets for these performances are Pay-What-You-Wish starting at $5.
Whilst everyone is welcome to attend performances at Portland Playhouse, we kindly ask our non-BIPOC audience to consider picking a performance not marked as a BIPOC performance.
PRESS
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
- Ayanna Prescod, Variety: “a portrait of Black joy, love and laughter” that features “a brilliant script that’s fresh, relatable and laugh-out-loud funny.”
- Helen Shaw, Vulture: this play is “a meal full of comfort dishes, difficulties resolved, and love requited.”
- Juan Michael Porter II, New York Theatre Guide: "a funny, familial feast of a show"
- Charles Isherwood, Broadway News: "The play provides audiences with the blessed release of almost continual laughter, which is something we probably all need."
Cast
Valerie Yvette Peterson: Baneatta Mabry
Donterrius Ruff: Reginald Mabry
Chidube Egbo: Kenny Mabry
Austin Comfort*:Logan Leibowitz
Brittney Caldwell*: Beverly Jenkins
Ashlee Radney^: La'Trice Franklin
Treasure Lunan*: Simone Mabry
Tamera Lyn*^:Brianna Jenkins
Understudies
Falynn Burton: Baneatta Mabry & Brianna Jenkins
Eric Island: Reginald Mabry & Kenny Mabry
Jasmyn Tilford^: Simone Mabry & La'Trice Franklin
Ashlee Radney^: Beverly Jenkins
Musicians
Tim Ribner: Piano
Marissa Hall: Substitute Piano
Creative Team
Playwright: Douglas Lyons
Director: Cycerli Ash-Barlocker
Assistant Director: Charles Grant
Scenic Designer: Carl B. Hamilton
Costume Designer: Wanda Walden
Lighting Designer: Allison Knight-Blaine
Sound Designer: Matthew Gailey
Properties Designer & Asst Costume Designer:Maia Denzler^
Stage Manager: Cassie Greer
Cultural Competency Consultant: Keela Johnson
Asst Stage Manager: Alea Tran
Appears as courtesy of Actor's Equity
Portland Playhouse Apprentice Company Member
Former Portland Playhouse Apprentice Company Member
Thank you to our Season Funders
Interested in Getting Involved?
We are always looking for volunteers as well as apprentices, crew members and corporate partnerships.
