Stage Notes: Reviews of 'Chicken and Biscuits' and 'Book of Mormon'

In its final show of the 2022/23 season, Uptown Players opened Douglas Lyons’ comedy Chicken and Biscuits last weekend. The regional premiere was directed by Akin Babatunde, his first show for Uptown. At about an hour and a half with no intermission, the time flew for this comedy-drama where family secrets and more all come out at a funeral.

The ensemble cast was a wonderful melding of talents who all channeled the right vibes for the show’s story. Centered on a funeral, the Jenkins family actors had all the remarkable chemistry of a real family going through an emotional journey of ups and downs. Matched with equally strong comic timing, the show succeeded through its heart, charm and laughs.

The story’s gay couple, Kenny and Logan, were played by actors Rodney Richardson and Blake McNamara who respectively lived up to their roles as partners. Richardson’s level-headed-ish Kenny was a smart polarity to McNamara’s more neurotic but supportive Logan. Without any overt displays, the actors created a strong refined bond between Kenny and Logan.

Natalie King was spot-on as a domineering matriarch with Michael Page as her husband Reginald who was also the new pastor of the church after father-in-law Jenkins’ passing. Page delivered a subtle comic performance that resulted in strong laughs that – like Richardson and McNamara – served a contrasting connection to King’s Baneatta. Playing the family’s daughter Simone, Meami Maszewski gave an engaging performance as a broken-hearted woman smiling through her pain.

As the younger and sassier sister to Baneatta, Kathy-Ann Hart brought her A-game to the busty Beverly. Intent on being perpetually cute, Hart’s high energy was limitless recalling Jackee Harry’s iconic Sandra in 227 (Look it up, kids). Joelle Eon played her daughter Latrice with dreams of hip-hop stardom and a mixtape coming out. Eon embodied teenage angst but with an abundance of humorous sass.

In a second half introduction, Crystal Williams’ Brianna made a strong impact with her sympathetic character that reduced many an audience member to tears.

In our interview, Babatunde talked about the unique experience of a Black funeral and all its glory and the cast truly understood the assignment here. The cast inhabited into their roles with theatricality but also with genuine personal flair which brought the audience well into the experience. Additionally, the heart behind the story was tender. The story of a family coming to terms with both new truths and obvious ones swept over with touching sweetness.

Chicken and Biscuits runs through Aug. 13 at the Kalita.

The Book of Mormon doesn’t shy from a laugh

The Book of Mormon, an uproarious comedy, is currently playing at Broadway Dallas through Sunday. With its irreverent, crass humor, and irresistible charm, the musical production is an energetic spectacle with nonstop laughs.

The story follows two missionaries from the Church of Latter-day Saints, Elder Price (Sam McLellan) and Elder Cunningham (Sam Nackman), as they travel to Uganda to spread their faith to a community gripped by AIDS, female mutilation, and a tyrannical warlord (Dewight Braxton Jr.). Written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame with Robert Lopez, the show will likely offend some, but laughs are guaranteed.

The show’s humor was never at the expense of anyone except maybe overly religious types who only see one picture instead of a bigger picture. The show gad its messages all disguised through comical songs and innuendo. Messages of hope, overcoming trauma and even letting loose boxed up gay thoughts were disguised through energetic showtunes.

TBOM was very much a dance musical and the choreography was sharp and outstanding especially with its dancing Mormons. Theater fans can delight in Broadway Easter eggs that were both obvious like The Lion King and a bit under the radar like Wicked and The Sound of Music.

The Book of Mormon is now playing at The Music Hall at Fair Park.

–Rich Lopez

Stage Notes: Reviews of ‘Chicken and Biscuits’ and ‘Book of Mormon’