Pulitzer Prize-Winning THE HOT WING KING To Be Presented At American Stage

American Stage has announced its upcoming production of The Hot Wing King, the 2021 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama by acclaimed playwright Katori Hall. The play will run June 3 - 28, 2026.

Set in Memphis, Tennessee, during the city's annual Hot Wing Festival, The Hot Wing King follows Cordell Crutchfield and his close-knit group of friends as they prepare for the high-stakes culinary competition. As tensions rise and personal challenges emerge, the story explores themes of black queerness, masculinity, belonging, and chosen family. The Hot Wing King received the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and has been recognized for its “funny, deeply felt consideration of Black masculinity” and contemporary American life.

Kenny Moten will direct American Stage's production, which blends humor and emotional depth in a story that examines the complexities of relationships and community. Moten's previous American Stage credits include Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and HAIR –  the 2024 and 2025 American Stage in the Park productions, respectively.  While The Hot Wing King is not a musical, it is deeply rooted in Memphis, Tennessee – a city known for its musical legacy. Like Moten's earlier work in HAIR, The Hot Wing King is saturated with music in spirit and reference, evoking artists like Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, and Kirk Franklin.

Playwright Katori Hall is widely known for her award-winning body of work across stage and screen, including The Mountaintop (produced in American Stage's 2024-2025 season), Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and the television series “P-Valley.” Her work often centers underrepresented voices and explores the nuances of identity and connection.