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All the fun, however, can’t quite hide the characters’ anxieties and resentments. Cordell devotes himself to his chicken recipes because the hobby lets him overlook his dependence on Dwayne and his guilt for having left his wife and sons. Dwayne blames himself for his sister’s death in police custody. Isom, having spent one night with Big Charles, is hurt because he can’t seem to keep Charles’ interest. 

These issues come out when the teen-aged son of Dwayne’s late sister, Everett (Marcus Gladney, Jr.), shows up looking for a place for the night. Dwayne is ready to take Everett in and raise him, a prospect that Cordell regards as a threat. Everett’s shady father, TJ (Jude Tibeau), shows up, like Pap in Huckleberry Finn, to claim Everett on the doubtful ground that living on the streets he’ll become more of a man than he will in his uncle’s household.

In the end, reconciliation is found. Dwayne and Cordell, after a good deal of lofty dialogue, realize that they belong together, and TJ lets Everett stay with them. In the driveway, Big Charles begins teaching Isom to shoot baskets. Cordell’s wing sauce triumphs in spite of its having been over-spiced by Isom. Cordell and the crew win a special trophy because Everett is the only person who can eat more than one of his wings. Isom proudly reports that “a long line of white boys” who challenged EJ ended up “looking like pink lobsters.”

The cast members play their roles with energy and expert timing under the skillful direction of Christopher C. Betts. Emmie Finckel designed the sleek set. At times Hall’s script crowds out character development in favor of comedic moments where characters are engaging but not allowed enough space for nuance. The really interesting question the play raises about the future and diversity of Black masculinity, explored individually and as a group in urgent discussions about “manhood,” does not reach a clear resolution but remains a puzzle for the audience to solve afterwards.

Hot Wing King runs through April 28th at Baltimore Center Stage.