The Hot Wing King
Closed 2h 20m
The Hot Wing King
81

The Hot Wing King NYC Reviews and Tickets

81%
(68 Ratings)
Positive
94%
Mixed
6%
Negative
0%
Members say
Funny, Entertaining, Great acting, Relevant, Absorbing

About the Show

Katori Hall's ("Our Lady of Kibeho") new comedy centers around the annual "Hot Wang Festival" in Memphis, TN.

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Show-Score Member Reviews (68)

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62 Reviews | 8 Followers
97
Great acting, Edgy, Ambitious

See it if You appreciate insight into incredibly profound life choices—why a man chooses to leave his family and start a new life with a gay lover

Don't see it if You don’t want to feel empathy with people and cultures that are not usually portrayed on stage. You want to hold on to your stereotypes.

98 Reviews | 15 Followers
96
Brilliantly written, moving and funny

See it if interested in plays about fathers and sons facing very difficult situations and you like Katori Hall's work, this will not disappoint you.

Don't see it if you are racist, homophobic or mired in the past or classical drama....and don't come hungry, watching the play will make you veryli hungry. Read more

81 Reviews | 15 Followers
94
Heartbreaking, Great acting, Funny, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if this is a family portrait unlike any other I've seen. I was completely drawn in. The writing & desires of each character were perfect

Don't see it if a portrait of a regional culture isn't something that's your cup of tea - or flavor of hot wings.

TRC
161 Reviews | 26 Followers
90
Relevant, Refreshing, Great acting, Funny

See it if ...well, it's closed so you can't. So refreshing to see a play with gay Black characters that isn't ABOUT that. Human and heartwarming.

Don't see it if you don't want to experience some Pulitzer Prize writing and great acting. Read more

56 Reviews | 7 Followers
88
Ambitious, Edgy, Great acting, Entertaining, Clever

See it if Writing and acting are great. The play delicately balances hysterical black gay patter and serious racial, gender and parental issues.

Don't see it if AfroAmerican dialogue moves fast and sometimes hard to keep up with--but doesn't interfere with enjoying the play. Read more

56 Reviews | 2 Followers
85
Well-written, Absorbing, Entertaining, Great acting, Clever

See it if You want to see a well-acted, topical, smart play. It veers from heartbreaking to hysterical.

Don't see it if You have issues with affection between men.

80 Reviews | 11 Followers
84
Great fun, in a touching way, Layered, Refreshing, Great staging, Entertaining

See it if you need wide-ranging black representation in character, emotion, and storylines; you appreciate laughter with your pain and vice versa

Don't see it if you are hungry - seeing so many chicken wings consumed will only make it worse!

393 Reviews | 93 Followers
83
Dynamic, Hearfelt, Refreshing, Sweet, Funny

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.

Critic Reviews (12)

The New York Times
March 1st, 2020

"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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The Wall Street Journal
March 5th, 2020

"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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Variety
March 2nd, 2020

"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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Theatermania
March 1st, 2020

"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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Lighting & Sound America
March 9th, 2020

"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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Talkin' Broadway
March 1st, 2020

"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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New York Stage Review
March 1st, 2020

4/5 Stars. "A flavorful, bitingly funny drama by Katori Hall. Talk about fowl play..."
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New York Stage Review
March 1st, 2020

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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