The Hot Wing King NYC Reviews and Tickets
Member Reviews (68)
See it if raucous sitcom, fine comedic ensemble; gourmet approach 2 wings; shows healthy community of gay men, 2 in loving relationship
Don't see it if unchallenging; never rises much above sitcom genre; conclusion: gay men are like the rest of us (but more fun) is not earth shattering
See it if Hall's most comedic endeavor; not w/o its serious side Well staged & very well acted which balances the more overwritten aspects of dramedy
Don't see it if Can be too long & overcooked w/ southern patois getting difficult when the boyz get hot & bothered Yet often wildly entertaining & affecting
See it if Like a rated-R 90s sitcom exploring the intersectionality of gay Black men: masculinity, homophobia, fatherhood, manhood, love, & community.
Don't see it if No major, heavy plot. Gay love annoys you: each time men kissed, the homophobic(?) woman next to me commented. 2.5 hours with intermission. Read more
See it if You are interested in a gay group of friends and lovers exploring their place in life. Good acting but writing straight out of tv.
Don't see it if You want something deeper and less cliched.
See it if you need some joy and laughter in your life right now. It's unusual to see a play all about black men which focuses on love and emotions.
Don't see it if you prefer multi-layered more serious plays and don't have a sense of humor. Not for the gayphobic.
See it if An enjoyable play depicting relationships among gay black men and with one's straight male relatives. The hot wing contest preparations
Don't see it if The subject matter doesn't appeal to you. Read more
See it if you're a fan of Katori Hall's work and/or you want to see a story that has some genuinely funny moments and some truly touching ones, too.
Don't see it if you want a consistent show. This is a mix of comedy and drama that are only somewhat compelling, and the tonal shifts don't quite work.
See it if Endearing comedy exploring what it means to be a family as seen through a household of gay men preparing to win a hot wing cooking contest
Don't see it if It’s long and doesn’t always hold together but it is entertaining and fun and the ensemble is terrific
Critic Reviews (12)
"In ‘The Hot Wing King,’ a New Recipe for a Family: Katori Hall’s genial play, built around a cooking contest in Memphis, uses a sitcom structure to explore black masculinity."
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"Katori Hall gets belly laughs out of this domestic comedy about an amateur cook trying to create a signature dish while chaos reigns in the kitchen."
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"Spicy Family Drama: Katori Hall’s latest is the best example yet of her down-to-earth stories bursting with truth"
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"The Hot Wing King Is Spicier Than a Suicide Drumette: Katori Hall's new play is about a circle of gay black men in Memphis, Tennessee."
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"Simply transposing standard tropes from gay plays and planting them in an all-black milieu doesn't result in anything remarkably fresh, and certainly not anything particularly flavorful."
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"Hall's 'The Hot Wing King' does not push the boundaries of theatrical form and style in ways that other shows have, but it is certainly a viable contender. In its unabashed treatment of sexuality, masculinity and race, it is a play to be applauded and savored."
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4/5 Stars. "A playful dramedy with an upbeat viewpoint and dynamic characters, The Hot Wing King is agreeably performed by a company of tiptop actors."
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4/5 Stars. "A flavorful, bitingly funny drama by Katori Hall. Talk about fowl play..."
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