The Hot Wing King at the Hartford Stage - Taking the Seasonings of Love to a Whole New Degree

 The Hot Wing King at the Hartford Stage - Taking the Seasonings of Love to a Whole New Degree

By David Pulvermacher


Beauty, pain, and elegance describe more than just the chicken at Hartford Stage’s newest show, The Hot Wing King. The Pulitzer-winning show unapologetically captivates the audience with its brilliant use of comedy and dramatic conflict. The Hot Wing King weaves multiple layers of subplots to create a tapestry of storytelling that will leave you thinking about the performance for a long time to come. 


The audience is invited into Dwayne’s and Cordell’s Memphis home. Cordell and his team are getting ready for the annual Hot Wing Festival. Cordell has come short the last five years in the hot wing competition and is determined to win using his secret family recipe. Nothing should get in team Cordell’s way…except for maybe family. 




Cordell’s boyfriend, Dwayne, promised to be present and supportive of their competition prep work. However, Dwayne has been swept up in his nephew’s problems again. Can Cordell manage his team and relationship with Dwayne, or will it all burn in their faces?


Katori Hall’s writing bridges the gap from the black-queer community to a larger audience through themes that most people have experienced in some way, shape, or form. Every family has their quirks and complications. Some unifying topics Hall includes are income imbalance between a couple, the meaning of family, and the lengths one is willing to go to express their love. Hall then infuses these familiar ideas with the conflict between the black community and the police or discovering a different sexual orientation later in life. Hall is grounded in her approach and makes an entryway for viewers to connect with the characters. 


The cast of Hot Wing King deserves recognition for their performance. Bjorn DuPaty and Calvin M. Thompson are the heart of the show as Cordell and Dwayne. DuPaty and Thompson’s onstage chemistry feels authentic to a couple learning how to live together. Their characters bounce from lovingly embracing one another to being ready to strangle each other. DuPaty and Thompson’s range is impactful and powerful. 



This production had no weak links, as seen by the supporting cast. As Dwayne’s nephew, EJ, Marcus Gladney Jr. plays a convincing modern teenager. EJ is bouncing from one place to another with his father TJ, played by Alphonso Walker Jr., EJ craves the stability his father struggles to provide. Gladney and Walker excellently play a strained father-son rapport. 


Rounding off the cast are Israel Erron Ford and Postell Pringle as Isom and Big Charles. The dichotomy of these characters provides the show with the laughter and release it needs from the heavier tones and events. Isom is an off-the-wall drama queen who captivates the audience with his flamboyant take on cooking chicken. Complimenting his zany behavior, Big Charles gets to the point when he talks. The foil between the men is as intense as it is hilarious. 


The direction by Christopher D. Betts was excellent. The stage was set up as Dwayne’s and Cordell’s two-story home. As one character would enter and exit different sections of the house, the remaining characters continued with what they were doing. The lighting emphasizes who the director wants the audience to focus on. While the lights may be on, Cordell and Dwayne may be talking outside the house, and the viewer can see Isom and Big Charles sneaking up the window to eavesdrop on their conversation. 


While it is an incredible show, it may be difficult for some to hear. While trying to be authentic to the culture and accents the characters would use in the South; it may be difficult for some viewers to hear each word the actors say. An audio-described performance will be available for audience members on Saturday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m. Additionally, the show’s strong language may not be appropriate for younger and sensitive audiences.


The Hot Wing King is playing at the Hartford Stage through March 24 at the Hartford Stage. Tickets start at $30, with discounts available for students and groups. Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m., and matinee performances Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. There are select Wednesday matinees at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling (860) 527-5151, at the box office at 50 Church St, Hartford, CT 06103, or online at hartfordstage.org







Location: 50 Church St, Hartford, CT 06103, USA

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