American Stage to Present Pulitzer-Winning Drama The Hot Wing King in June 2026

American Stage has revealed plans to stage The Hot Wing King, the 2021 Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Katori Hall, from 3 to 28 June 2026.

Set against the backdrop of Memphis, Tennessee’s annual Hot Wing Festival, the drama centres on Cordell Crutchfield and his close circle of friends as they gear up for a competitive culinary event. The narrative delves into themes of Black queerness, masculinity, belonging, and chosen family amid rising tensions and personal struggles.

Recognised for its “funny, deeply felt consideration of Black masculinity” and its portrayal of contemporary American life, The Hot Wing King earned the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2021.

Kenny Moten will direct the production at American Stage. Moten, whose previous credits at the theatre include directing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the 2024 and 2025 American Stage in the Park productions of HAIR, brings a blend of humour and emotional depth to the play. Although not a musical, the production is infused with the spirit of Memphis’s rich musical heritage, referencing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, and Kirk Franklin, much like Moten’s earlier work on HAIR.

Playwright Katori Hall is acclaimed for her extensive award-winning work across theatre and television, including The Mountaintop—also part of American Stage’s 2024-2025 season—Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and the TV series P-Valley. Her writing often highlights underrepresented voices and explores complex themes of identity and human connection.

The performances will be held at American Stage, located at 163 3rd St. N, St. Petersburg, Florida. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased online at www.americanstage.org.

Performance Details

The Hot Wing King
3 – 28 June 2026
American Stage, St. Petersburg, Florida

Cast

• Matthenee Treco* (he/him) – Cordell
• Jos N. Banks* (he/they) – Dwayne
• Randy Chalmers* (he/him) – Isom
• Don Randle (he/him) – Big Charles
• Elijah Jordan (he/him) – EJ
• Lance Felton (he/him) – TJ

Creative Team

• Kenny Moten (he/him) – Director
• Steven Mitchell# (he/him) – Scenic Designer
• Sam Doty (he/him) – Lighting Designer
• Wyndell Carmichael (he/him) – Costume Designer
• Tyrese Pope (he/him) – Sound Designer
• Marcus Wehby (he/him) – Props Designer