By Kathy Chouteau
April Wright, whose family arrived on the Richmond scene 80 years ago, knows a little something about the African American experience. Her company, Symphony Enterprises, is sharing a slice of it in “Chicken, Chitlins & Caviar,” a musical revue set for August 23-24 at the Lesher Centre for the Arts in Walnut Creek.
“Chicken, Chitlins & Caviar is an explosive music review where rhythm, movement and symbolism collide in a dazzling celebration of African American culture,” Wright told the Standard. “Prepare to be transported from the warmth of Sunday dinners to the electric pulse of Friday nights, from soulful R&B grooves to the glitz of Broadway.”
She added that the extraordinary show is a whirlwind tour through the rich tapestry of Black American life, all set to an unforgettable soundtrack.
The 90-minute Broadway-style revue not only includes Wright producing it, but also starring in it alongside vocalists such as Renona Wesley and Lady Kathi, according to Lady Kathi’s website. The revue explores the African American experience through the universal lens of music—with “Chicken, Chitlins & Caviar” representing gospel, blues and jazz, using food as the metaphor.
Wright shared on Symphony Enterprises’ site that chicken, as the staple of Sunday dinner, brings the Soul and R&B; chitlins, just making due with what chu’ got, is the blues and soul music; and caviar is the refined and cultured that is represented by the spirituals and Broadway.
Aside from running Symphony Enterprises, Wright can be heard on KPFA Saturday mornings producing and hosting “The Gospel Experience” from 6-9 a.m. on 94.1 FM. Her roots in Richmond include singing at the North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church starting at 8 years old. Since that time, she’s sung, lectured and directed choirs locally and internationally and has appeared on stage in numerous productions.
General admission tickets to “Chicken, Chitlins & Caviar” are $60, with student discounts available, and can be bought here. The Lesher Center for the Arts is located at 1601 Civic Dr. in Walnut Creek.