Writers Theatre’s “The Hot Wing King,” with Joseph Anthony Byrd, Jabari Khaliq, Breon Arzell and Thee Ricky Harris/ Photo: Michael Brosilow
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Writers Theatre, a gem nestled in suburban Glencoe, continues to amaze with expertly curated runs of hit shows. They melted hearts with “Once” (2023) and took us to hell and back in “Eurydice” (2023); the hits continue with “The Hot Wing King,” running through July 21. Unlike the heart-wrenching slow burn of those earlier shows, this final production of their 2023/2024 season is fire at full blast, with a cast that delivers performances spicier than habanero hot sauce. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Katori Hall pens a mirthful and passionate story about the repercussions of following one’s heart to embark on a new adventure, and the friends and family gained along the way.
Cordell (Breon Arzell) had it all—a good job, loving wife, two college-age children… He was following the traditional formula of happiness; that is, until an unexpected ingredient fell into the mix, an encounter with tall, dark and handsome Dwayne (Jos N. Banks). Cordell leaves everything behind and moves to Memphis to be with Dwayne, but he hangs onto the emotional baggage of being economically dependent and an absentee father and husband.
Luckily for Cordell he’s distracted by the annual hot-wing competition, which he’s been on the cusp of winning for years. For help, he enlists the aid of his friends—the ebullient and outrageous Isom (Joseph Anthony Byrd) and confident and smoldering Big Charles (Thee Ricky Harris). Together they form “The New Wing Order.” In between measuring spices, stirring pots and grilling chicken, the cohort makes time for sarcastic jibes, flirtatious advances and soul music sing-alongs, including the entirety of Luther Vandross’ “Never Too Much” sung in two-part harmony with dance choreography, backup vocals and live keyboard accompaniment by Harris.
Writers Theatre’s “The Hot Wing King,” with Breon Arzell, Joseph Anthony Byrd and Thee Ricky Harris/Photo: Michael Brosilow
Despite the distraction, real life has a way of forcing its way in. Dwayne’s teenage nephew Everett (Jabari Khaliq) lost his mother to “suicide by cop” during a bout of mental illness and lacks guidance at an age where one must choose a path of vice or virtue. Dwayne wants Everett to live with them as opposed to his street-hardened, drug-dealing father, TJ (Kevin Tre’von Patterson), but Cordell’s insecurities regarding his distant family bubble to the surface and overflow in a series of yelling matches familiar to couples who’ve found themselves at an existential crossroads.
Sensory flavors of savory, sweet and spicy are expertly balanced by the ensemble. The cheekily vulgar comedic relief by Byrd and Harris will have you busting a gut. A dialectic between Everett’s real and surrogate father(s) is an accurate reflection of real-world conversations about the importance of stability for Black male youth, views about same-sex parents and the true definition of “manhood.” When the story gets too hot, the ensemble pulls together to balance the pathos with over-the-top comedy, like a gulp of cool milk after finishing a spicy dish.
Director Lili-Anne Brown makes the most of the red-hot script and humongous set—a bifurcated house designed by Lauren M. Nichols complete with kitchen, living room, backyard, foyer and upstairs bedroom. Attention to detail by lighting designer Jason Lynch—like the gradual color change of the rising and setting sun through windows—makes this world feel incredibly real.
Super spicy food is not for everybody, but piquant plays are another matter. Prepare your palette and make the trip to Writers Theatre to see “The Hot Wing King” for an experience that is hot, hot, HOT!
“The Hot Wing King” runs through July 21 at Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. Showtimes are Wednesday-Friday at 7:30pm (and select Wednesdays at 3pm); Saturdays at 3pm and 7:30pm; select Sundays at 2pm and 6pm. Tickets are $35-$90 at writerstheatre.org.
