There is nothing unusual about an accomplished woodworker and set designer being involved in building the set for a theatrical production of Charlotte’s Web. But when the person in question has a day job at Lexington Barbecue #1, I get right curious right quick.
According to an article in the Lexington Dispatch, Keith “Bub” Wright spends his working hours behind the counter at one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the state, but has many hobbies from baking to furniture making. Wright, who is married to the daughter of the legendary Wayne Monk, owner of Lexington #1, designed the set for the Lexington Charity League’s spring production of E.B. White’s children’s classic. Yes, that would be that Charlotte’s Web, the story about a friendly spider, a little girl and a lovable pig named Wilbur–no relation to Wilber Shirley. (Spider pig, spider pig, does whatever a spider pig does.)
In E.B. White’s story, of course, Wilbur the pig is saved from slaughter. Thus, I am concerned by a long-time barbecue man being given free reign to design a set for a play featuring said pig. Oh, the irony. No word in the Dispatch article as to whether the set included a built-in barbeuce pit or bottles of Lexington-style dip, but this photo from the Interweb of a pig named Wilbur may answer that question.
Filed under: 'Cue Culture | Tagged: Davidson County, Drama, Lexington |
BBQ Jew 
Oh, I have seen his face behind that famous counter many times.