Hot Wing King
This Pulitzer prizewinning play by Katori Hall presents as a warm family comedy drama and it works very well at that level. Cordell (Kadiff Kirwan) hasn’t got a job, and left his wife and sons two years ago for his new partner Dwayne (Simon-Anthony Rhoden) and he is still feeling guilty about both, but he is putting all of his energy into winning the Memphis Hot Wing Competition, and he has called on their friends and potential couple Big Charles (Jason Barnett) and Isom (Olisa Odele) to help. Meanwhile Dwayne is worried about his nephew E.J. (Kaireece Denton) going off the rails. The final character here E.J.’s dad (Dwayne Walcott) a man who thinks masculinity is all about being tough. So, this is a found family of Black American men, bringing together different versions of masculinity and sexuality and all trying to live their best lives. There are many layers here, including references to racism, homophobia and police brutality (E.J’s troubled mum ...