Writers Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Artistic Director Braden Abraham, concludes its 2023/24 Season with The Hot Wing King, written by Katori Hall, and directed by Lili-Anne Brown. The Hot Wing King will be presented June 20 – July 21, 2024 in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Friday, June 28, 2024 at 7:30pm.
Lili-Anne Brown, a Chicago native and a veteran of stages in Chicago and across the country, comes to Writers to direct this hot, new play, winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama by celebrated writer Katori Hall (The Mountaintop, P-Valley, Broadway’s Tina: The Tina Turner Musical).
When it comes to wings, Cordell is king! Supported by his beau Dwayne and the best friends who serve as his fry crew, the group embarks on a fun night of pre-competition prep for Memphis’s annual hot wing festival. But when Dwayne’s troubled nephew unexpectedly needs a place to stay, it quickly becomes a recipe for disaster. Winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, The Hot Wing King is a fierce comedy about the risks and rewards of celebrating who you are.
“We are excited to conclude our season with The Hot Wing King; a hilarious and moving play centered on love and cooking while exploring the challenges of partnership and fatherhood,” comments Braden Abraham. “Katori Hall is writing at the top of her game. This play’s themes, its American regionalism, and the dynamic relationships between her characters will endear itself to audiences like a good family recipe.”
The cast includes: Breon Arzell (Cordell), Jos N. Banks (Dwayne), Joseph Anthony Byrd (Isom), Thee Ricky Harris (Big Charles), Jabari Khaliq (Everett), and Kevin Tre'von Patterson (TJ). The understudies are Jonathan Allsop, Darryl D’Angelo Jones, Donovan Session, and Jarred Webb.
The creative team includes: Lili-Anne Brown (Director), Lauren M. Nichols (Scenic Designer), Yvonne Miranda (Costume Designer), Jason Lynch (Lighting Designer), Willow James (Sound Designer), Dee Etti-Williams (Assistant Sound Designer), Greg Geffrard (Intimacy Director), Christopher Berry (Voice and Dialect), and Tor Campbell (Associate Director). The stage manager is Katie Klemme and the assistant stage manager is Imani Ross.
Tickets are now on sale at Writers Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Lili-Anne Brown (Director), a Chicago South Side native, works as a director, actor and educator, and has performed in, directed and produced many award-winning shows in Chicago and nationally. Recent directing credits include: The Nacirema Society…, School Girls, or The African Mean Girls Play and the world premieres of Ike Holter’s I Hate It Here and Lottery Day (Goodman Theatre); Dreamgirls (McCarter Theater and Goodspeed Musicals), FELA! (Olney Theatre), Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Huntington Theatre), Ain’t No Mo’ (Woolly Mammoth and Baltimore CenterStage), Rent, The Color Purple (The Muny), Once on This Island (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Acoustic Rooster...(Kennedy Center and National Tour), Put Your House in Order (La Jolla Playhouse), Cullud Wattah (Victory Gardens). She is the former Artistic Director of Bailiwick Chicago, where she focused programming on Chicago-premiere musicals and new play development with resident playwrights. During her tenure she directed Dessa Rose (Jeff Award), Passing Strange (BTA Award), See What I Wanna See (Steppenwolf Theatre Garage Rep), and the world premiere of Princess Mary Demands Your Attention by Aaron Holland, and produced many other award-winning shows. Other directing credits include The Color Purple (Drury Lane Theatre), P.Y.G. or the Mis-Edumacation of Dorian Belle (Jackalope Theatre), The Total Bent (Haven Theatre w/About Face), Caroline, or Change (Firebrand Theatre w/TimeLine), Tilikum by Kristiana Colon (world premiere, Sideshow Theatre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (American Blues Theatre), Hairspray (Skylight Music Theatre), The Wolf at the End of the Block (16th Street Theatre), Marie Christine (Boho Theatre), Peter and the Starcatcher (Metropolis Performing Arts), The Wiz (Kokandy Productions), Xanadu (American Theatre Company), Jabari Dreams of Freedom by Nambi E. Kelley (world premiere, Chicago Children’s Theatre), American Idiot (Northwestern University); and Little Shop of Horrors, Unnecessary Farce, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, and The 25th…Spelling Bee, among others, at Timber Lake Playhouse where she was an Artistic Associate. She has received a Helen Hayes Award, 5 Jeff Awards, 2 BTA awards and one African American Arts Alliance Award for excellence in directing. Lili-Anne is a 2021 recipient of the 3Arts Award for Theatre and the 2023 Zelda Fichandler Award Finalist. She is a member of SDC, AEA, SAG-AFTRA, and a graduate of Northwestern University.
Katori Hall (Playwright) is a Pulitzer Prize and Olivier Award-winning playwright and television creator/producer hailing from Memphis, Tennessee. A two-time Tony Award nominee, she won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her play, The Hot Wing King, which she directed for the first time at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in early 2023. She is currently the showrunner and Executive Producer of the Starz drama series, P-Valley, which she adapted from her stage play Pussy Valley. The critically acclaimed and record-breaking series returned for its second season on June 3, 2022. P-Valley was named to countless ‘Best of 2020’ lists for its first season and, among many honors, has received Gotham, Independent Spirit, GLAAD Media, and NAACP Image Award nominations. Katori recently signed an overall deal with Lionsgate Television to continue to develop and produce groundbreaking content across their linear and streaming platforms. For Broadway, she most recently wrote and produced the hit musical, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, based on the life of the iconic performer, receiving two Tony Award nominations for her work as both playwright for ‘Best Book of a Musical’ and as producer in the ‘Best Musical’ category. For the musical’s acclaimed West End production, she also received an Olivier nomination for ‘Best New Musical.’ Her play The Mountaintop, which vividly reimagines the final night of Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, premiered at Theatre503 in London in 2009, then transferred to the West End, where she won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2010. It later opened on Broadway in October 2011 to critical acclaim in a production starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. The Mountaintop will soon premiered at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in 2023. Katori's other works include the award-winning Hurt Village, which is currently in development as a feature film; plus Hoodoo Love, Saturday Night/Sunday Morning, WHADDABLOODCLOT!!!, Our Lady of Kibeho, Purple is the Colour of Mourning and The Blood Quilt. She is also the proud recipient of the Susan Smith Blackburn Award, Lark Play Development Center Playwrights of New York (PONY) Fellowship, two Lecompte du Nouy Prizes from Lincoln Center, Fellowship of Southern Writers Bryan Family Award in Drama, NYFA Fellowship, the Columbia University John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement, National Black Theatre's August Wilson Playwriting Award and the Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Award. Katori is an alumnus of the Sundance Episodic Lab's inaugural class, as well as the Sundance Screenwriting Lab. She also participated in Ryan Murphy’s Half Foundation Directing Program and directed the award-winning short, Arkabutla.
Breon Arzell (Cordell), a Detroit native, is an actor, choreographer, writer, and teaching artist. While choregraphing for regional and local theaters and universities, acting credits include: Blues for an Alabama Sky (Remy Bumppo Theatre); Incendiary & Ain’t No Mo (Woolly Mammoth Theatre, DC); The Comedy of Errors, DREAM (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Little Shop of Horrors, Baskerville (Metropolis PAC); The Total Bent (Haven w/ About Face); A Christmas Carol, Objects in the Mirror (Goodman Theatre) and more. TOURS: Theater Unspeakable, USA; White Horse Theatre, Germany; ACLE Theatrino, Italy. In the world of television, he is a recurring character on South Side (HBO Max), and choregraphed for The 4400 (CW). The recipient of 7 Joseph Jefferson Awards and 2 Black Theatre Alliance Awards, he has also been recognized as one of New City Magazine’s 50 Players of Chicago in 2018, 2020 and 2023. Along with other original works (both theater and screenplays), he is the co-creator and playwright of the revival and resurrection of the historical black musical, In Dahomey.
Jos N. Banks (Dwayne) is a multi- award winning visual/ performing arts artist, costume designer, stylist and teaching Artist hailing from Chicago, IL. Tours include: International (US, Canada, China & Singapore ): Kinky Boots (Lola, over 350 performances), North American/Canadian - Hair (Hud), The Color Purple (Harpo). Regional: Joan Jett Blakk in Ms. Blakk For President and Pharus in Choir Boy (Steppenwolf), The Color Purple (The Muny), Dreamgirls (Goodspeed/McCarter), Songs For A New World (Farmers Alley Theatre), What To Send Up (Congo Square), Dada Woof Papa Hot (About Face Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Paramount Theatre), The Color Purple and Smokey Joe's Cafe (Drury Lane Theatre), Far From Heaven and The Scottsboro Boys (Porchlight Music Theatre), Direct From Death Row Scottsboro Boys (Raven Theatre), Hairspray (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre), The Story Of Curtis Mayfield and The Other Cinderella (Black Ensemble Theatre), Smokey Joe's Cafe (Theo Ubique/ Royal George). Film credits include: Ocean in Showtime’s The Chi, Dr. Greg Martinson in Showtime’s Work In Progress & Rise Against's music video Make It Stop (Lead). Jos is a well-rounded designer, having interned with Teen Vogue Magazine in NYC for his fashion designs & illustrations. Deemed Winner of StageScene LA’s “Scenie” Award for “Break Out Performance in a Touring Production” as Lola in Kinky Boots in 2018 & nominated for Best Costume Designer for the 2012, 2016/17 & 2019 BTAA (Black Theater Alliance Awards). Jos also serves as curator and keynote speaker of his very own Master Class, entitled “#BeFEARLESS w/ Jos N. Banks” which he has now instructed to young theatre artisans from grade school to collegiate, on a national level.
Joseph Anthony Byrd (Isom) is excited to be making his debut here at Writers Theatre. Some of his Chicago credits include The Play That Goes Wrong at Broadway Playhouse, And The World Goes Round (Jeff Nomination) at Marriott Theatre and Cabaret at Paramount Theatre. Broadway/Touring credits include Kinky Boots, The Play That Goes Wrong, and The Lion King. Joseph has also appeared on TV in Justified: City Primeval, Chicago Med, 4400 and Proven Innocent.
Thee Ricky Harris (Big Charles) has recently appeared in The Time Machine – A Tribute to the 80s and A Taste of Soul (Black Ensemble Theater), 5 Guys Named Moe (Beverly Arts Center), Pump Boys and Dinettes (Porchlight Music Theater), Crowns (Fleetwood-Jourdain), Company (Mercury Theater), A Dickens Carol (Oak Park Festival Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (William Street Repertory Theatre), Ragtime (Griffin Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Musical), The Wiz (Kokandy Productions, Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical), Direct from Death Row, and The Scottsboro Boys (Raven Theatre, Jeff Award for Best Ensemble).
Jabari Khaliq (Everett) is making his Writers Theatre debut with The Hot Wing King. Chicago credits include: Purpose (Steppenwolf Theatre); The Lifespan of a Fact (TimeLine Theatre); The Nacirema Society…, Toni Stone (Goodman Theatre); What To Send Up... (Congo Square), Black Magic (Perceptions Theatre); Leftovers (Something Marvelous). Jabari is a Chicago-based Actor and Photographer/Videographer and has a BFA from Univrersity of Illinois-Chicago.
Kevin Tre'von Patterson (TJ) is making his Writers Theatre debut. He was last seen in Baskerville at Peninsula Players Theatre. Other notable theatre credits of his include: Between Riverside and Crazy (Redtwist Theatre) and Direct from Death Row: The Scottsboro Boys (Raven Theatre), a show that received a Joseph Jefferson award for Best Ensemble. His television credits include: Power: Book Force (Starz), Chicago P.D. (NBC), and Mindhunter (Netflix).
Writers Theatre is pleased to welcome back BMO Harris Bank as a 2023/24 Season Sponsor, marking the Bank’s tenth consecutive year as season sponsor. Writers Theatre also acknowledges Capital Group Private Client Services as a Lead Production Sponsor.
Fact Sheet / The Hot Wing King
Title: The Hot Wing King
Written by: Katori Hall
Directed by: Lili-Anne Brown
Cast: Breon Arzell (Cordell), Jos N. Banks (Dwayne), Joseph Anthony Byrd (Isom), Thee Ricky Harris (Big Charles), Jabari Khaliq (Everett), and Kevin Tre'von Patterson (TJ). The understudies are Jonathan Allsop, Darryl D’Angelo Jones, Donovan Session, and Jarred Webb.
Creative Team: Lili-Anne Brown (Director), Lauren M. Nichols (Scenic Designer), Yvonne Miranda (Costume Designer), Jason Lynch (Lighting Designer), Willow James (Sound Designer), Dee Etti-Williams (Assistant Sound Designer), Greg Geffrard (Intimacy Director), Christopher Berry (Voice and Dialect), and Tor Campbell (Associate Director). The stage manager is Katie Klemme and the assistant stage manager is Imani Ross.
Dates: First performance: June 20, 2024
Press opening: Friday, June 28, 2024 at 7:30pm
Closing performance: July 21, 2024
Performance Schedule:
- Wednesdays: 3:00pm (July 10 & 17 only) and 7:30pm
- Thursdays: 7:30pm (except July 4)
- Fridays: 7:30pm
- Saturdays: 3:00pm (except June 22) and 7:30pm
- Sundays: 2:00pm and 6:00pm (except June 23 & July 21)
Location: Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre; 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe
Prices: Prices for all performances range from $35 - $90; Purchase early for best prices.
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe; 847-242-6000; www.writerstheatre.org
Events:
Black Community Night – The Hot Wing King
Wednesday, June 26th
Reception starts at 6pm
Performance at 7:30pm
Members of the Black community are invited to Writers Theatre for an evening of good food, great company, and outstanding theatre! Join us for a pre-show reception featuring a Q&A with director Lili-Anne Brown, followed by a performance of Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, The Hot Wing King. Use code BCNKING for $25 tickets.
Writers Theatre Pride Month events:
Show & Tell: True Colors
Tuesday, June 4
7:00pm - 8:00pm @ Writers Theatre Atrium
Celebrate Pride Month at Writers Theatre with an evening of stories celebrating the queer experience!
Tickets are pay what you can - suggested ticket price of $15
Wake Up Words: Drag Story Hour
June 9, 2024
11am-12pm, Writers Theatre Atrium
Wake Up Words: Drag Story Hour is back! Families can celebrate Pride Month at Writers Theatre with a make-your-own-crown craft and storytime with Chicago’s own Mrs. Yuka. Intended for ages 3-11 and their parents/caregivers but all are welcome. Preregistration is required for this free event.
WRITERS THEATRE 2024/25 SEASON
The 2024-25 season launches with the Chicago premiere of the acclaimed musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, nominated for 12 Tony Awards, which reunites director/choreographer Katie Spelman and music director Matt Deitchman after their previous collaboration on WT’s twice extended sold out run of Once. Kimberly Senior returns to Writers to direct the hilarious and compassionate one-person play Every Brilliant Thing. Acclaimed writer and performer Vanessa Severo will star as both herself and legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in her searing new play Frida...A Self Portrait, directed by Joanie Schultz. Next spring, Braden Abraham brings Brian Friel’s touching Irish drama Translations to the Writers stage before the season concludes with the World Premiere of Dhaba on Devon Avenue, directed by Chay Yew, co-produced with TimeLine Theatre Company.
Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Frida...A Self Portrait, Translations, and Dhaba on Devon Avenue will be presented in the 255-seat Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre. Every Brilliant Thing will be in the intimate Gillian Theatre. Both spaces are in Writers Theatre’s award-winning building at 325 Tudor Court in Glencoe, designed by Studio Gang Architects.
This season, Writers Theatre is offering five subscriptions with an option for every theatregoer. Each subscription includes a deeply discounted ticket price for one ticket to the 5-play series, Flex subscriptions, with options for either 4 tickets or 6 tickets, are available.
Subscriptions are now available for the 5-show season and range from $240 - $325. Flex subscriptions are $260 (4-pack), $325 (5-pack) or $360 (6-pack). Season package subscribers receive exclusive benefits including complimentary ticket exchanges by phone and mail (upgrade fees may apply), access to special play readings and lectures, special “subscriber-rate” prices on additional tickets, discounts at the bar, on Writers Theatre merchandise, event rentals, and more. For a complete list of benefits visit writerstheatre.org.
Season Packages are available online at www.writerstheatre.org, and at the Box Office by calling 847-242-6000.
Singles tickets will go on sale at a later date. Tickets for Every Brilliant Thing, Frida…A Self Portrait, Translations and Dhaba on Devon Avenue are $35 to $95 each. Tickets for Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 are $45 to $110.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
WT offers Open Captioning on select dates for each production. Please visit writerstheatre.org/accessibility for more information.
Throughout the season, Writers Theatre offers a variety of audience enrichment and special programming. This includes regularly occurring offerings like the Family Matinee Series, The Green Room artist interview series and podcast, and The Final Word Audience Discussion Series. Please visit writerstheatre.org/events for a full listing of upcoming offerings.
ABOUT WRITERS THEATRE
Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 32nd season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is now a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Braden Abraham and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward for the next 30 years.
Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced over 140 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.
Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative, which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of over 30 world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major originator of new theatrical works. Serving as an extension of the Writers Theatre mission, WT Education programs engage an average 10,000 students each year with active learning opportunities centered around the written word.