The Hot Wing King
The Old Town Theatre
A cooking competition becomes a hilarious battleground for belonging.
As Memphis’s annual “Hot Wang Festival” approaches, Cordell Crutchfield is determined to win the crown with the support of his boyfriend Dwayne and their friends, aka “The New Wing Order.” Just when victory seems certain, a family tragedy brings Dwayne’s troubled nephew into the mix, turning their preparations into a recipe for chaos. Katori Hall’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy explores the challenges and rewards of being true to yourself and the families we create.
Performance information
April 9 – 12, 2025
2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission
Mature themes, strong language, and references to topics such as alcohol, drug use, physical intimacy, and liberated LGBTQ+ characters
15+
For wheelchair or ADA seating options, please contact the box office at 619-337-1525
Meet the cast
Kevane La'Marr Coleman
Kevane is very excited to be returning to Cygnet. Cygnet Theatre credits: Angels in America: Millennium Approaches/Perestroika, Shockheaded Peter. Previous credits include The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote (TuYo Theatre); The Color Purple, The Secret Garden, 1940’s Radio Hour, Return to the Forbidden Planet (New Village Arts); One in Two (Island City Stage); Monsters of the America Cinema (U/S); The Mystery of Irma Vep (U/S.), One in Two, As Much As You Can, The Facts of Life-The Lost Episode, Our Gay Apparel, Stage Directions (Diversionary Theatre); 9 Hours (The Old Globe Theatre); South Pacific, Miss Saigon (Moonlight Amphitheatre); Airline Highway, Grey Gardens, Chicago, Angels in America: Millennium Approaches/ Perestroika (ion Theatre); The Car Plays (La Jolla Playhouse) to name a few. Kevane is a proud graduate of Boston College, and he is the President of the Black Faculty and Staff Association at Cal State San Marcos. Kevane dedicates this performance to his mother, Jeanne “JJ” Coleman. Kevane La’Marr Coleman is sponsored by Artist Advocates Richard & Eileen Brown.
Xavier Daniels
Xavier Carnell Daniels is thrilled to make his Cygnet Theatre debut in The Hot Wing King. A graduate of Concordia University Irvine with a BA in Theater, his past stage credits include Blue/Orange (10th Avenue Theater) and Ten Days in a Mad-House (Black Box Theater). He has also appeared in films such as The Foster Story and The Conduit. Xavier trained at John Kirby Studios and brings additional talents in drumming, rapping, and mime, along with proficiency in British accents. He is grateful for this opportunity of artistic storytelling and thanks his family and friends for their support. Follow him @xay._.dan Xavier Daniels is sponsored by Artist Advocate Dr. Paula Fitzgerald Christopher Nielsen.
Rondrell McCormick
At Cygnet Theatre: Mud Row. Regional Theater: Uncle Remus… (The Old Globe); Mark Twain’s River Of Song (TheatreWorks); As You Like It (San Francisco Shakespeare Festival); Between Riverside & Crazy, Night of the Living Dead (San Jose Stage); Graveyard Shift (San Francisco Playhouse); Bella: An American Tall Tale (Playwrights Horizons/Sundance Lab); Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Center REP); All’s Well That Ends Well (Shakespeare & Company); A Christmas Carol (American Conservatory Theater); Seven Guitars (Triad Stage). Training: B.F.A. – NC A&T State University; M.F.A. – American Conservatory Theater. Rondrell McCormick is sponsored by Artist Advocate Lesslie Keller.
Jocorey Mitchell
Jocorey has been performing since he was in elementary school, and through hard work and guidance decided to pursue his dreams of being an actor. He now studies at Grossmont Community College in hopes to transfer to SDSU. This is his first professional show. He is very excited be a part of this amazing experience and is even more excited to work with new and amazing people. And he’s grateful for his partner and family! Jocorey Mitchell is sponsored by Artist Advocate The Gay & Lesbian Fund at The San Diego Foundation.
Carter Piggee
Carter Piggee is thrilled to be making his Cygnet debut. Carter was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and has performed all over San Diego. Regional Theatre: As You Like it, Henry 6, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (The Old Globe), One in Two (Diversionary Theatre), Abigail’s Party, Dry Powder (Backyard Renaissance), Miss Bennet Christmas at Pemberley, (New Village Arts), Ironbound (Moxie). Education: B.A. in Theatre Performance from San Diego State University (Spring 2017), M.F.A in Acting from The Old Globe/USD Shiley Graduate Theatre Program (Class of 2024). Instagram: @cjcentric. Carter Piggee is sponsored by Artist Advocate The Gay & Lesbian Fund at The San Diego Foundation.
Tristan J Shuler
Tristan J Shuler was most recently seen as Benny in Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ RENT in Concert. Regional: A Strange Loop (A.C.T. San Francisco & Center Theatre Group), Prelude to a Kiss: the Musical (South Coast Repertory). Off-Bway: Cruel Intentions: the 90’s Musical, Spamilton: An American Parody, Urinetown the Musical. A bicoastal writer/director/actor, Tristan was highlighted in YesBroadway’s 40Under40 alongside Oscar-winner Ariana Debose & Tony-winners Adrienne Warren & Alex Newell. Thank you, Lucky & my new Cygnet fam, for considering me for this dream of a show & Katori Hall for writing such brilliance. Currently seeking talent & literary representation. @TristanJShuler www.TristanJShuler.com. Tristan J Shuler is sponsored by Artist Advocates Barbara Bolt, and Jim Price & Joan Sieber.
Behind the scenes
Katori Hall
Katori Hall 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. 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.’
Kian Kline-Chilton
Kian Kline-Chilton is a director and producer based in San Diego, dedicated to pioneering new theatrical experiences that examine and celebrate stories of queer resistance. Thanks to all those who continue to uplift them in their endeavors. Founder of Patchwork Theatre. BA in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University. Recent credits include We Are Continuous (Diversionary Theatre), The Finish Line: A Bill and Judy Garrett Commission (Cygnet Theatre), and A LOT of assistant directing credits. @kian.k.c. on instagram. The website is taking a minute, but she coming. Kian Kline-Chilton is sponsored by Artist Advocates David & Anise Ritchie.
Caroline Andrew
Caroline is a lighting designer and theatre consultant with over 15 years of experience in theatre and live events, and over 5 years of lighting design for themed entertainment. Caroline has worked as lighting and projections designer and associate designer throughout the United States and internationally. They have worked in theatre, live events, dance, and opera at a multitude of venues, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Princess Cruise Lines, BlizzCon, Comic-Con, The Old Globe, Cygnet Theatre, and numerous others. They have additionally been a guest lecturer and mentor at San Diego State University, Mesa College, and with various non-profit educational organizations.
Chandra R.M. Anthenill
Cygnet Theatre: Mud Row, El Huracán, The Last Wife, Bad Jews, Sons of the Prophet, True West, Fool for Love, Spring Awakening, Assassins, Company. Regional: Empty Ride, Stir, English, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Exotic Deadly, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Trouble in Mind, Krapp’s Last Tape, What You Are, Tiny Beautiful Things, Globe for All 2017-2024, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, A Thousand Splendid Suns, Guys and Dolls, Camp David, The Comedy of Errors (The Old Globe), Derecho, The Garden, POP tour 2020, Junk (La Jolla Playhouse), Fun Home, Into the Beautiful North, Outside Mullingar, The Oldest Boy, Honky (SDRep), Pippin (Diversionary).
Audrey Casteris
Audrey Casteris is thrilled to be making her Cygnet debut with The Hot Wing King! Recent design credits include All Bark No Bite (Coronado Playhouse), We Begin in a Tavern (Orlando Fringe 2023), and The Interference and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Theatre UCF). She is also the Resident Set Design Assistant at The Old Globe. @audreycasterisdesign
Padra Crisafulli
Padra Crisafulli creates theatrical experiences as a sound designer, composer, director, and generative artist, and is most energized when mixing the unexplainable with the unavoidable. Incredibly excited to make their Cygnet debut. Past credits include: La Jolla Playhouse, Diversionary Theatre, Park Avenue Armory, National Museum of Serbia, Prague Quadrennial, and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. MFA in Sound, UC San Diego. BFA in Directing, Carnegie Mellon University.
Katie Davis
Katie Davis is from La Crescenta, CA. Select credits include: Derecho (La Jolla Playhouse), The Glass Menagerie (Diversionary Theatre), Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Circuit (PCPA – Pacific Conservatory Theatre), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, A.D. 16, and The Music Man (Olney Theatre Center), नेहा & Neel, Dead Girl’s Quinceañera, and Hedda Gabler (UCSD). Upcoming: Indian Princesses (La Jolla Playhouse). Education: BFA Stage Management – University of Miami, MFA Stage Management – UC San Diego.
Teresa Jove
Teresa Jove is deeply grateful and honored to be a part of this production. They’ve had the privilege of working on: The Rocky Horror Show ’24, El Huracán, Mud Row, Life Sucks and La Cage Aux Folles here at Cygnet Theatre. She has also worked at The Old Globe and San Diego Repertory Theatre. They would like to give huge thanks to all her friends and family, who have been supporting and encouraging them to pursue their passion. And a very special thank you to Richard “The Wizard”, whose vast knowledge and willingness to help have made their crazy ideas into reality.
Danita Lee
Danita Lee is delighted to work with Cygnet again on this piece! Favorite projects include In the Heights (Music Theatre Wichita), Handbagged and The Madres (MOXIE), Water by the Spoonful and Bad Jews (Cygnet Theatre). ACD credits with Old Globe Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, and North Coast Rep. She holds an MFA in Costume Design from SDSU. Thanks to the incredible team and wonderful cast—what a beautiful exploration of life and human connection! And to Michael J., the Lee & Woo families, SW, DVW and HRW—you are magic! danitalee.com
Jaz Villalino
Jaz is thrilled to be working at Cygnet for the first time! They work in stage management around the San Diego area (most recently We Are Continuous at Diversionary Theatre) but they also have directing and intimacy directing credits in So-Cal as well as Portland, OR where they apprenticed at the Portland Playhouse. Jaz sees a more sustainable and accessible future for theatre and is excited by the slow realization of that future being fostered in art spaces around San Diego. But as always there is more work to be done! You can find Jaz on Instagram at @jazvillalino.
April 9 – May 2
Buy your tickets online or call the Box Office 619-337-1525
The Box Office is currently available Tuesday – Sunday from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm or until the evening performance begins.
Your next great theatre experience awaits.
The Hot Wing King
A cooking competition becomes a hilarious battleground for belonging.
