Chicken and Biscuits Program

By Douglas Lyons Directed by Zhailon Levingston February 28-March 3

Leah Michalos, Producing Director; Michael Parva, Artistic Director.

Presents

CHICKEN AND BISCUITS

By Douglas Lyons Directed by Zhailon Levingston Cast

Banetta...................................... Janet Hubert Simone ......................... Alana Raquel Bowers Brianna ..................................... Carly Hughes Beverly .........................Ebony Marshall-Oliver La’Trice ................................. Aigner Mizzelle Reginald.................................Danny Johnson Kenny .....................................Devere Rogers Logan ..........................................Michael Urie Stage Manager ............ Cody Renard Richard Stage Directions....................... Destinee Rae CHICKEN AND BISCUITS runs approximately an 1 hour and 40 mins.

We wish to express our gratitude to the Performers’ Unions: ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS SAG-AFTRA through Theatre Authority, Inc. for their cooperation in permitting the Artists to appear on this program.

This performance is dedicated to Gaynl Roberts

WHO’S WHO

JANET HUBERT (Banetta) is best known to television audiences as “Aunt Vivian” on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Trained at the prestigious school Juilliard in theater, Hubert started dancing at the age of 22 years old.

Ms. Hubert appeared on Broadway in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, THE FIRST, and in the original cast CATS, where she danced in the role of Tantomile and understudied and performed in the role of Grizabella, in addition she starred in the international tour of SOPHISTICATED LADIES, and the national company of DANCIN’. She was asked back to Europe to appear at the Sporting Club in Monaco where she headlined for the anniversary of Josephine Baker after her successful run in Paris. Her many, many guest starring appearances on television include King Ester (Daytime Emmy Nomination), General Hospital, Tyler Perry’s If Loving You is Wrong, Dennis Leary’s The Job, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, Gilmore Girls, One Life to Live

NYPD Blue, The Jamie Foxx Show, The Pretender, Dave’s World, Tales From the Crypt, Hunter, Coach, Friends. Her other film appearances include roles in No Letting Go, 30 Years to Life, White Man’s Burden, and California Myth. What About Your Friends. She is the voice of Bayer THIS IS WHY WE SCIENCE commercials,and has done numerous commercials on and off camera. Her Regional theater include, Regina Taylor’s CROWNS at McCarter, FOR COLORED GIRLS, Baltimore Center Stage, LOST IN THE STARS, Long Wharf Theater, St Louis Muny Opera, Pam Gems’ CAMILLE starring Kathleen Turner. She has produced cabaret and her own one woman show FROM BROADWAY TO TV...

NOW BACK TO ME. Hubert studied dance with some of the best in NYC, Ailey, David Howard, Zena Rommett to name a few. Trained in ballet, jazz and modern, she is a true triple threat.

Hubert is in production at present with Toonz Animation, Ericka Nicole Malone production, Philip Robinson with her JG and the BC Kids, a musical animation she is executive producing that is a 20 year labor of love to her son Elijah. She has been a champion for health disparities in the Black Community by working to bring awareness with BioTech companies across the world. Hubert has spoken on Capitol Hill as an ambassador for the NOF for bone health. Hubert has brought on other celebs such as Patti Labelle, Bernie Mac to speak on diseases that have affected them. A wife, mother, community activist and lastly an artist she feels there is much work to still do.

ALANA RAQUEL BOWERS (Simone) is a Baltimore-born, New York-based actor, dancer, and singer. Off-Broadway credits include WHAT TO SEND UP WHEN IT GOES DOWN by Aleshea Harris at A.R.T./New York Theater (NY), Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (DC), American Repertory Theater (MA) and The Public Theater (NY), respectively. She was also featured in the Tribeca Film Festival in 2019 with the film After Class starring Justin Long. Alana was recently seen as a guest star on FBI: Most Wanted on CBS. She was in the original cast of CHICKENS AND BISCUITS for the 2019 run at Queens Theatre.

CARLY HUGHES (Brianna) is a star of both stage and screen.

She is best known for her work on Broadway and as Angela for four seasons on the ABC family comedy American Housewife. This past holiday season Carly stared in The Christmas Edition, a new holiday film for Lifetime, opposite Rob Mayes and Marie Osmond. She also released her first EP of holiday classics titled ‘Mistletoe & Carly’. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Hughes grew up in Columbia, Maryland. Her talent was recognized in 2003 when she became a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award for Acting and Excellence in the Arts. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre before moving to New York City to pursue her theater aspirations.

Broadway; Velma Kelly in CHICAGO the Leading Player in PIPPIN and Lucille/Shirley of the Shirelles in BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL, THE BOOK OF MORMON, GHOST: THE MUSICAL, RAGTIME, THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM SPELLING BEE, and DR SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINGE STOLE CHRISTMAS. She has appeared

on The 2014 Tony® Awards, The Today Show, and The View to perform her song “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” helping to win the 2015 GRAMMY® for Best Musical Theater Album.

Hughes has also starred at regional theaters across the country, and her voice can be heard in most of the songs in ‘Lucky Stiff,’ the Ahrens & Flaherty movie musical.

Hughes has also guest starred in HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and on the Netflix series Insatiable and in the Netflix film Malibu Rescue: The Next Wave. When she is not performing, Hughes enjoys cooking for friends and learning about wine. Carly has a successful Instagram series titled “Cooking with Carly.” Many days she can be found watching the Food Network, expanding her culinary expertise. Known to her friends as “Crafty Carly,” she spends time making handmade scarves and gift baskets. She also loves traveling to experience other cultures and hopes to take a trip to a new destination every year.

EBONY MARSHALL-OLIVER Beverly) is an actress, singer, storyteller. Off-Broadway; AIN’T NO MO (Passenger 4, The Public Theater), SEUSSICAL (Sour Kangaroo- TheatreWorks USA), Regional; CHICKEN AND BISCUITS (Beverly, Queens Theatre), SISTER ACT (Deloris- EverBlue Arts), RAISIN (Lena Younger- Astoria PAC), DREAMGIRLS (Dallas Theater Center), MEMPHIS (Felicia- Theatre 3 Dallas), THE COLOR PURPLE (Celie), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ and Charlayne Woodard's PRETTY FIRE TRILOGY all at Jubilee Theatre

AIGNER MIZZELLE (La’Trice) is a graduate from NYU Tisch’s Playwrights Horizons Theater school with a BFA in Drama.

She is a NJ/NYC based theatre and movement artist, teaching artist, activist, actor, writer, and choreographer. She recently assistant directed nicHi Douglas’ WHERE LOVE LIES FALLOW in the Under The Radar Festival at The Public. She appeared as Quin in Alexandra Chasin’s FRAGMENTS,LISTS, AND LACUNAE at NY Live Arts. She played La’Trice in Douglas Lyons’ CHICKEN AND BISCUITS at Queens Theater. She most recently appeared in the online edition of Toshiki Okada’s ZERO COST HOUSE presented by Pig Iron Theatre Company. Currently, she is excited to be representing Lyons’ La’Trice once more in support of the Next Wave Initiative

DANNY JOHNSON (Reginald) has proven to be a versatile actor with limitless range during a career spanning multiple decades in Film, Television, and the Broadway Stage.

Broadway; ALL THE WAY and THE SONG OF JACOB ZULU. Off Broadway: THE LAST SAINT ON SUGAR HILL, OUR LADY OF 121st STREET, A SOLDIER’S PLAY. Regional:THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH (Berkshire Theater Group), FAMILIAR (The Old Globe), SEVEN GUITARS (Yale Repertory,) THE MOUNTAINTOP (True Colors Theater) WHAT I LEARNED IN PARIS (Alliance Theater), JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE (The Goodman Theater), A RAISIN IN THE SUN (Intiman Theater).

Additional productions at Steppenwolf Theater Company, Huntington Theater Company, St Louis Repertory Theater, and Cleveland Playhouse among many.Television: Pose, Bluff City Law, Daredevil, Luke Cage, For Life, Quantico, Shades of Blue, Madam Secretary, Law and Order SVU, Gotham and House of Cards, among many. Film: Villains, Lazy Susan, Still Here, Don King: Only in America. @trudannyjohnson

DEVERE ROGERS (Kenny) is an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA and a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. As an actor, he has performed in plays, musicals, and workshops on Broadway, OffBroadway, and regionally, as well as having roles on such TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Crazy ExGirlfriend, and Will & Grace. Most recently, he starred in the NBC pilot Friends-In-Law, is recurring on IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase, and co-starred in the action comedy My Spy with Dave Bautista and Ken Jeong, and indie comedy Tankhouse with Christopher Lloyd and Richard Kind. As a writer, he wrote the critically acclaimed short film Ying & Yang as well as having an Off-Broadway workshop production of his play EXCUSE ME LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. He is currently developing a TV show with Paul Feig’s PowderKeg and Fox21 in addition to writing and developing several film and TV projects.

MICHAEL URIE (Logan) is best known for four seasons as Marc St. James on ABC’s Ugly Betty.

After performing Jonathan Tolins’ solo play BUYER & CELLAR more than 600 times all over the world, early in the pandemic, Michael live-streamed the play to your living room via his living room on Broadway.com. Other TV appearances include: Modern Family, The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Hot in Cleveland, Partners, Workaholics, Almost Family and as Redmond on Younger. On Broadway, he appeared in Bess Wohl’s GRAND HORIONS, Harvey Fierstein’s TORCH SONG and opposite Nick Jonas in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Off Broadway: Tony Kushner’s A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY, HIGH BUTTON SHOES, THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, HOMOS, OR EVERYONE IN AMERICA, SHOWS FOR DAYS, ANGELS IN AMERICAS, THE TEMPERAMENTALS. As a director Michael helmed BRIGHT COLORS

AND BOLD PATTERNS on stage; He’s Way More Famous Than You, The Hyperglot and codirected Thank You For Judging for the screen. Michael produced Drew Droege’s solo comedy HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOUG and co-produces Pride Plays, an LGBTQIA theater festival each June. As a host: Cocktails & Classics, the upcoming HGTV show, Clipped, and New York’s Drama Desk Awards four years in a row. Regional Theater: The Shakespeare Theater (Hamlet), The Old Globe, Seattle Rep, The Folger, Two River, Vineyard Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Barrington Stage, and Center Theater Group. Film: Lavender, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Decoy Bride, Such Good People, Abducted. Training: Juilliard.

DESTINEE REA (Stage Directions)s a Texas native who loves all things black women, art, and culture. When not in quarantine, Destinee Rea, can be found playing a Bold Soul Sister with company of TINA: THE TINA TURNER. Broadway: BOOK OF MORMON,

AMELIE; Regional: Sarah,

RAGTIME (PSF), Lorrell, DREAMGIRLS (NSMT) and Dorothy, THE WIZ (Maltz Jupiter Theatre). Destinee is also the the Co-Founder of BOLD an organization that seeks to build up black women In the performing arts for the restoration of Culture. find her online @destineeRea

CODY RENARD RICHARD (Stage Manager) is an advocate, educator and professional Stage Manager with a career that spans many genres including Broadway, Television, Cirque Du Soleil and Opera. On Broadway, he has worked as a full time and substitute Stage Manager on 12 productions, most recently serving as the Production Stage Manager for FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME. Other Broadway: HAMILTON DEAR EVAN HANSEN, THE LION KING, Cirque du Soleil’s PARAMOUR, KINKY BOOTS, IF/THEN, AFTER MIDNIGHT, MOTOWN THE MUSICAL, GHOST THE MUSICAL, CYRANO DE BERGERAC and LYSISTRATA

JONES. TV: 2019 Tony Awards, 2020 & 2019 MTV VMAs, Jesus Christ Superstar Live!, Hairspray Live!, The Wiz Live!. Cirque du Soleil: OVO, Wintuk. Off Broadway/NY: PORGY AND BESS (Metropolitan Opera – Assistant Stage Director), CANDIDE at Carnegie Hall, 5 productions with NY City Center Encores!, The Public Theatre, Atlantic Theatre Company, 2nd Stage, Transport Group, Pearl Theatre Company.

Selected Regional: Lempicka at Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Kennedy Center, The Muny, TUTS, Stages STL, Kansas City Rep, Alley Theatre, Repertory Theatre of STL. In addition to his production credits, he has served as adjunct faculty at New York University, Columbia University and Fordham University. As an advocate for change and equity, Cody has appeared live on CNN and has been interviewed on WNBC. Cody has been featured

by Variety Magazine as one of their 2020 Broadway Players to Watch, Out Magazine as a 2020 OUT100 honoree and in Forbes. He launched The Cody Renard Richard Scholarship Program in partnership with Broadway Advocacy Coalition in Sept of 2020 and holds a BFA in Stage Management from Webster Conservatory. He is a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association and the Directors Guild of America. www.codyrenard.com @

ZHAILON LEVINGSTON (Director) is a Louisiana raised storyteller director and activist. He is a Board Member and Creative Director for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, where he co-created and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University. He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel’s A Broader Way Foundation. Directing credits include: NEPTUNE (Dixon Place/Brooklyn Museum), THE YEARS THAT WENT WRONG (Lark/MCC), THE EXONERATED (Columbia Law School), CHARIOT PART 2 (Soho Rep for Movement Theatre Company), MOTHER OF PEARL (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center. He is the Associate Director of PRIMER FOR A FAILED SUPER POWER with Tony AwardWinner Rachel Chavkin, and RUNAWAYS at The Public with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed CHICKEN AND BISCUITS at Queens Theatre, and is the Resident Director at TINA: THE TINE TURNER MUSICAL on Broadway.

DOUGLAS LYONS (Playwright) is an actor, writer, director, composer, and playwright. Writing - TV: Fraggle Rock (Apple TV).

Theater: POLKADOTS (Off Broadway Alliance Winner Best Family Show, Atlantic Theater Company), CHICKEN AND BISCUITS (Queens Theatre), SUNSHINE (Long Wharf Theatre), PETE(HER)PAN (Pace New Musicals), FIVE POINTS (world premiere Theater Latte Da), now directed by HAMILTON’s Andy Blankenbuehler, FATIGUE with Jodi Piccoult, WE THE PEOPLE (TheatreworksUSA) and THE HAMLET REMIX. Acting Broadway: BEAUTIFUL(Original Cast) and THE BOOK OF MORMON. Tours: RENT, DREAMGIRLS and THE BOOK OF MORMON.1st National.

Douglas is also the founder of The Next Wave Initiative, a scholarship program dedicated to supporting the future of Black Theater artists. @chocolatehipster

The Next Wave Initiative is a developmental branch of The Directors Company, committed to amplifying future Black voices in The American Theatre.

Douglas Lyons, Founder and Director of the Next Wave Initiative: Our nation is currently mourning, while simultaneously healing itself. In times like these I always look towards a solution; a way to pave a path towards America’s future. The Next Wave Initiative allows the conversations around “Broadway equality” to become action. This program will fight to erase the ugliness of our past, while investing in the future of our profession.

The Directors Company is an award-winning not-for-profit theatre company with an extraordinary record in its mission to develop and produce groundbreaking new plays and musicals for the American theatre public. For 40 years, The Directors Company has mentored and supported emerging artists in the development of original theatre works from inception to production, providing artistic and dramaturgical guidance to promising, new theatre artists and their projects. The future of American theatre depends on a regular influx of new works, to which The Directors Company is committed, and the collaborative process we encourage involves not only the playwright and director, but audiences as well, who play a part in the emergence of original works giving voice to contemporary concerns.

CHICKEN AND BISCUITS is part of 59E59 Theaters PLAYS IN PLACE season of virtual events. 59E59 Theaters was established by the Elysabeth Kleinhans Theatrical Foundation in 2004 to grant professional space and expertise to non-profit theater companies premiering their work in New York City. Under the leadership of Val Day, Artistic Director, and Brian Beirne, Managing Director, 59E59 Theaters presents a yearround curated program of Off Broadway plays and musicals that are nurtured and supported through highly-subsidized rental rates, as well as production, ticketing, FOH, marketing, and press support.

The Next Wave Initiative Wishes to Express Our Thanks to Our Current Supporters* *as of 2/17/21 SONY MUSIC CORPORATION Aaron Lustbader Abigail Lass Adam Gwon Adam Salberg Adrianne Richards Alan Knight Alex Gibbs Alexa Doggett Alexandra Moon Alice Ripley Alissabeth Morton Allison Beler Amanda Bishop Amanda Karmelin Amy Greenspan Amy Jackson Andreas Schmidt Andrew Brewer Andrew Leggieri Aneika Fermin Anna A Schoening Anna Cunningham Anna Wheeler Anthony Martinez Antoinette Martinez Ariana Cardoza Arin Dandes Arom Choe Ashley Antwi Ashley Izard Avery Donald Ben Blackman Ben Whiteley Brandon Ellis Brendan Rosenthal Briana Brooks Britney Caughell Brody Grant Calaura Howard CamRon Stewart Candace Enis Caparelliotis Casting Cara Reichel Carol Unger Carolyn Paulus Cashima Major

Catherine Mannos Celeste Spangler Chad Campbell Chad Rabinovitz Charity Hill Chi Chi Onuah Chilina Kennedy Christine Dwyer Christine Scharf Christine Smith Christopher Cafero Christopher Livingston Clyde Voce Corey Twitty Cori Stolbun Cory Jeacoma Crystal Kellogg Crystal Skillman Dailee Morrone Daniel Parrish Daniela Garrett Danielle Moyal Darin Haas Dean Yeropoli Dekontee Tucrkile Devorah Bondarin Donna Hilton Dorion Fuchs Eliza Maher Elizabeth Adabale Elizabeth Caplan Elizabeth Chaney Elizabeth Kensek Elizabeth Markson Elizabeth Miller Ellen Foxx Emilee Elofson Emily Britt Emily Burstyn Emily Chester Emily Durand Gavin Whitworth Gayle Turner Genevieve Estanislau Grant Benedict

Greg Baird Haley Kowtko Haley Poling Harris Doran Heather Cariou Ilana Becker Iman Freeman Indiegogo Isabel Graf Isaiah Bailey Ivory McKay Jacob Krickhan Jake Nusbaum James Arbogast James Bain James Hogan Jamey Hood Jason Tam Jataria Heyward Jeffrey Revels Jennifer Apple Jennifer Fouche Jennifer Hyde Jennifer Malenke Jeremy Heinerich Jeremy Varner Jessica Green Jessica Payne Jessica Reed Jessica Sinkler Jessica Sporn Jessica Washington Jessie Austrian Jillian Wessel Jodi VanLeer John Brown John Caliendo John Mastrianni John Mitchell John Tedeschi Joseph Dalfonso Joseph Gay Joshua Rhodes Joy Jones Judith Dolan Judy Pillinger

Julius Feltus June Dressler K. Dawn KohlmanShemesh Kaitlyn Barrett Kamaria M Williams Kara Procell Katelyn Bowman Katelyn Spokely Katherine Bruestle Katherine E Swan Katherine Rain Katherine Sieber Katrina Goldburn Keith Stevens Kelli M O’Brian Kelsee Sweigard Kelsi Webster Ken Barnett Kenneth Urso Khamilei Burrell Kimberly Marable Korey Jackson Kyle Ward Kyle Weiss Lara Ianni Laura Berrios Laure Crandall Lauren Dietzel Lauren Worsham Leah Michalos Lena Gabrielle Weinstein Lia Davila Liam Toner Lily Chang Lisa Foss Liz Larsen Logan Sekulow Lucie Ledbetter Lynne Childress Maci Bass Madeline Smith Malinda Logan Marc Bruni Margaret Austin Maria Jackson Mariel Letourneau Mark Mauriello Mary Fleming Mary Kate Morrissey

Matt Poveromo Matthew Kacergis Matthew Kunkel Matthew Lee Robinson MayTae Harge Meagan Michelson Megan Dettmer Megan Lesko Melissa Krska Michael Cartwright Michael Cerveris Michael Colby Michael Harmon Michael Holt Michelle Boyle Mitchell Marois Molly Prep Molly Wolff Mystie Galloway Nancy Zamit Neels Natalie W Nyema Natasha Cowley Neomi D DeAnda Network For Good Noah Hadland Paige Sommerer Parker Bartol Paul Depoo Paula Chanda Peter Rothstein Philip Smith Quinton Huguley Rachel Shapiro Cooper Rebecca Wert Richard K. Greene Robert Bones Robert Davis Robyn Powers Rodin Rodin Ryan Balbalosa Ryan Casey Ryan Cummings Sade Heard Samantha Mautner Sammi Cannold Sara Cooper Sara DiPasquale Sara Worthing Sara Viniar Savannah Lobel

Sarah Bockel Scott Elyanow Sean Baker Seth Eliser Shana Hadjian Shannon Levingston Shelby Ringdahl Sofia Matlasz Sofia Ross Sophie Brower Spyridon Koufalis Stacie Beard Susanna Wolk Suzanne Grodner Sydney Parra Tameishia Peterson Tammy Nelson Tamrin Goldberg Tanner Jones Tara Murphy Thomas Beebe Thomas Bruett Tiffany Clifton Tiffany Thompson Trey Wright Troy Willitt Veronica Stern Veronique Hurley Victor Legra Wesley Crain Will Porter William Frenzel Wyonna Rutledge