Some things are universal

Some things are universal, such as death and taxes. This wonderfully heartfelt comedy by Douglas Lyons isn’t about taxes. Instead it’s a show that invites you to laugh, cry, and celebrate family in all its beautiful, messy, complicated glory.

Describing the show in an interview just prior to its Broadway opening, Lyons said, “I would say Chicken and Biscuits would be a good laugh for anyone who has family.”

Lyons began work on the script (his first) while appearing on Broadway in the musical Beautiful, writing a little bit at a time during a 45-minute window between scenes. The show draws on his own experiences but also what he saw as a need. “Growing up with so many Black women ... they’re all strong and vibrant and have real personalities, and I rarely see those depictions in the American theater,” he explained in a recent LA Times interview. “The actor in me is like, why not write some different offerings for my peers so they can have more work?”

Debuting on Broadway in 2021, Chicken and Biscuits would go on to become the second most produced play in the 2022-23 season around the country. It would also be the jumping off point for two other plays that Lyons describes as “The Deep Breath Trilogy: New Plays for Black Women.” Table 17 debuted off-Broadway last year and Don’t Touch My Hair completed its premier last month in LA.

The theme of the trilogy isn’t recurring characters. Instead, Lyons says each play has a moment where a Black woman stands center stage and takes a deep breath. “In the world we live in right now, that’s revolutionary,” he said.

At a time when being inclusive and intentional in celebrating all aspects of our community is becoming bafflingly taboo a show like this reminds us of our shared experiences. As Lyon’s said, “…I think the beauty of the play is that I found it’s not just the food itself, it’s the imagery of us eating the food, it’s the tradition, the laughter, the healing, and the joy that takes place over the food that the play is addressing.”

Enjoy the show!

Jamie Ulmer

Executive Director