CHICKEN STORIES IS A FOWL BALL!
There are more than 8 billion people on the earth. But did you know that there are more chickens on the planet than human beings? And you know that we’re not talking as pets. Costco alone sells more than 75 million roasted chickens every year. But what of fried chicken? As emblematic of the US South as collard greens and sweet potato pie, the origins can be traced back to the Scottish. West African cuisines also included fried chicken dishes, where chicken was seasoned and fried. Enslaved Africans brought their cooking techniques and flavors to the Americas, blending them with existing traditions. In actuality, chicken and watermelon (which also originated in West Africa) were inexpensive dishes; they are poor people’s food. It’s a fascinating history, but the bottom line is that African seasoning created the distinct style of fried chicken that evolved into a staple of Southern cuisine, not to mention global comfort food, known for its crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Darien Sills-Evans
Tagger Skomsky, Darien Sills-Evans, LaVonna Miller
So while everyone in the world digs tasty fried chicken, for the Black community, consumption and the debate over the perfect recipe is a tradition. Opening at The Broadwater Main Stage last night is a very tasty treat made up of eighteen vignettes that make up a new play “hatched” by Marcus Folmar. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, Chicken Stories is a most surprisingly well-written, funny, relatable and endearing collection of tales as seen through the hens, I mean, lens, of the Black community. The most astounding achievement is that Folmar, who also directs, has us hooked within the first few lines of dialogue in each scene. Not one vignette lays an egg.
LaVonna Miller, Maurice G. Smith, Lavel Schley, JP Payton
Tagger Skomsky, Maurice G. Smith, Alexis Underwood, JP Payton
You’ll discover why chicken is more important for a community fundraiser than, well, fundraising. Also, when a bedraggled daughter returns from a rotten business trip in Houston, we will find out how she hysterically managed to bring home 80 fresh pieces of fried chicken in a trash bag. And why is wearing a chicken suit so important for customers to see, but not for the son of the restaurant’s owner? In another piece, things get dicey when two friends decide to buy chicken sandwiches before they sell out, and resell them at a cost, but at what cost? A terrific original score by Stan Seymour plays in-between stories.
Maurice G. Smith, JP Payton
Alexis Underwood, LaVonna Miller, Lavel Schley
And what a charming cast, many of whom you’ve no doubt seen on small and big screens. Lavel Schley, Darien Sills-Evans, Maurice G. Smith, Lanett Tachel, Colin McGurk, JP Payton, and LaVonna Miller embody people across the spectrum of humanity, which ensures that this evening is wholly universal and even touching. John Marshall Jones, who gets his own well-stocked TV show setting by David Offer, plays Papa Creole, who doles out ways to treat a chicken, ending each of his scenes with “Good for the Chicken. Good for Life” (Jones appears Saturday nights, while Columbus Short plays the role on Fridays). The understudies are Alexis Underwood and Tagger Skomsky.
John Marshall Jones
Lavel Schley, Alexis Underwood
It’s so refreshing to see an intelligent, witty and heartfelt examination of a community’s relationship to a prepared item. And while we see some stereotypes lovingly portrayed on stage, the evening completely shatters racist stereotypes of the Black community. I’m telling you, it’s quite a marvel. I’m reminded of that anonymous quote, one that could have been attributed to Martin Luther King: “I envision a world where all chickens will be free to cross roads without having their motives called into question.” This world premiere of Chicken Stories doesn’t just cross the road; it transcends it.
photos by Steve Royall
Chicken Stories
Broadwater Main Stage, 1076 Lillian Way in Hollywood
Thurs-Sat at 7:30; Sun at 3
ends on August 18, 2024
approximately 105 minutes with intermission
for tickets, visit EventBrite
