
An upcoming cooking competition becomes a raucous exploration of race, masculinity and family obligation. Sizzling with equal parts spice and joy, Katori Hall’s Pulitzer-winning THE HOT WING KING plays in the Jeffers Theatre at HCT from January 24th through February 8th.
Returning to the Pamela Livingstone Stage in this production is Kay Award winner Gabe Tarpley as Everett.
Hailing from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Tarpley came to Hickory to be a student at Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he is in his Junior year. A member of Alpha Psi Omega, Tarpley has performed in such LRU productions as THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTING SPELLING BEE, and THE TURTLE OF MICHIGAN.
Tarpley made a memorable HCT debut as Graffiti Pete in last season's production of IN THE HEIGHTS, for which he earned a Kay Award for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Musical. He appreciates the people and positivity he finds at Hickory Community Theatre, and is grateful for being cast in such a relatable role—Tarpley counts cooking among his free-time passions—in "a show that brings to light social issues."
Performances of THE HOT WING KING are Fridays and Saturdays, January 24th through February 8th at 7:30 PM; Sundays, January 26th and February 2nd at 2:30 PM; and, Thursday, February 6th at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $16 for adults, $10 for youth and students.
Tickets are available online at hickorytheatre.org, or by phone at 828-328-2283. The theatre box office is open from 12-5 PM Wednesday through Friday, or one half-hour before a performance.
THE HOT WING KING is rated R. Audience under 17 requires adult guidance.
THE HOT WING KING is produced in association with Arts Culture Catawba. The Hickory Community Theatre’s 76th season is sponsored by A Cleaner World, Bella Age, Covington Dental, LifeRootz, Protection Products, Inc., and Shurtape Technologies. HCT is a Funded Affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
(Photo by Lauren Albers)
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