Cordell has determined the perfect ingredients for his chicken wings. He's convinced that he will attain the crown at this year's Hot Wing Festival. However, he has not yet found the recipe for living as an openly gay, black man in Memphis. Having conformed to paternal expectations, he married and raised two sons before seeking a divorce and moving in with his new partner, Dwayne. As a former athlete, he is highly competitive, but he is now facing a new game in which he is unsure of himself, and where among other things, he is learning a new definition of a family. Playwright, Katori Hall, tackles some complex issues: prejudice against being black and gay, creating a community and family of choice, definitions of manhood, the relation between fathers and sons, and in this case, both partners' guilt about family issues as they simultaneously try to build a relationship. Despite the fact that there is so much going on, the play sometimes seems somewhat padded, with unnecessary miming about the making of the wings and gratuitous musical numbers. Because so many issues are being addressed, there also becomes a question of what is the main focus of this work. This is not made easier by the somewhat uneasy mixture of intense drama with broad, often implausible comedy. (It is difficult to believe a competitive cook would proceed without constantly tasting his recipe.) As Cordell, Kadiff Kirwan puts in a strong performance as a gay man struggling to come to terms with his guilt about his past and uncertainty about his present. He is nicely matched by Simon-Anthony Rhoden's Dwayne who deals with his own guilt by burying himself in work. Kudos also to Jason Barnett for his turn as the barber and mentor of the gang, Big Charles. Similarly Olisa Odele does a nice job as the campy Isom. Kaireece Denton's performance as the sulky, yet vulnerable, adolescent EJ stands out. It is a pitch perfect mix of defiance and neediness. The heavy Southern accents adopted by the actors might pose some issues for the audience at the beginning, but the ear soon adjusts and the accents tend to slip away, particularly in some of the more dramatic moments. Rajha Shakiry's set is artfully constructed, but the bedroom level seems unnecessary and underused. The Hot Wing King has a lot to say about some important issues and gives insight into a world not often seen on stage. Despite some questions about this unique offering it's definitely worth sampling – sweet, but also piquant.
Rated: ★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo Helen Murray
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