Wig Out

by Tarell Alvin McCraney

In this gossamer-laced reality there is never a moment to be without your face, to not be together. One false move and you'll get chopped. One night can leave you legendary or a subsidiary.Enter the House of Light, a hyper-glamorous, uber-competitive drag queen refuge where a daughter who was once a son can find a family. While the House are primping and preening for a catwalk showdown, drag queen Nina is wooing the delectable Eric as Wilson. How can Nina/Wilson strut the thorny divide between opposite genders and differing worlds? Wig Out! premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in November 2008.'An astonishing young dramatist.' New York Times

Genres: Plays, Queer, Drama, Contemporary, American, African American

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nadja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having a rudimentary knowledge of the ballroom scene is likely useful, and without it, the play would probably not be a really interesting read. ( I would have preferred that the ladies would have founded their own house without Lucian)

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

McCraney has become better known since winning the Oscar for co-writing 'Moonlight', but he began his career as an award-winning playwright, often chronicling the black gay experience in such plays as 'Choir Boy' and 'Marcus, or The Secret of Sweet'. This early entry, first performed in NY in 2008, and then subsequently in the UK, is basically something of a play version of the documentary 'Paris is Burning', detailing a 'Cinderella Ball' between two prominent Harlem drag houses. I am sure it plays much better than it reads, since a lot of the script is taken up with stage directions and descriptions of the drag acts (sometimes incomprehensible, unless one is hip to the drag patois used), but the story itself is a bit underdeveloped.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book all the way back in 2015, in a theater in London, on a whim. For a long time, it lived at the house of my friend, who I'd gifted it to, half serious, half as a joke(he is INCREDIBLY averse to any kind of play). When he was finally moving, I finally decided to take it and read it, figuring, now is the time! Between my excitement re:a new tv show about ball culture, and the fact that the playwright also created Moonlight, I felt I had to finally sit down and read this. It's safe to say that I love this play now, which I didn't expect.
The first thing that really struck me was how Grecian it felt. The structuring reminds me of some of the ancient classics, and I am ALWAYS here for a twist on that format. That, coupled with the unique stage directions and whole scenes devoted to pageantry and spectacle made for an interesting read, but I was particularly drawn to the quiet, intimate scenes that were sprinkled throughout. It's here that I truly felt drawn to the piece. For me, the star scene was the Act Two opener. I went back, right after finishing, just to read the scene again, as it really struck me.
The only major critique, so to speak, that I had with Wig Out was the rehashing of what I personally think is an overused narrative, which is the "aging diva" tragedy. Other than that, I'm all for this, and can't wait to see it when it comes through Boston later this year. I mean, come on, who could resist the call of a play that not only dazzles in its spectacle, but also has truly heartwarming scenes AND a fucking Smashing Pumpkins song?!

[Matthew Akers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling, eye-opening play. I love love love the writing. Emotionally captivating. The only issue is the ending. It felt rushed, and I wasn't emotionally invested. Possibly different if I saw it live.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taught, for Gender and U.S. Theater.

[Cody Roecker]

I learned a lot reading this!

[Alyson]

I recommend watching the documentary "Paris is Burning" before reading the play. Having a basic knowledge of the ball scene and house hierarchies made this read easier -- not to mention more illuminating.

[Eleana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty fun, bit irritating reading the stage directions at first and as far as plot goes there's not much going on but I am entertained and this reads like it would be fun on stage

[massmarketbareback · Rating 5 out of 5]

category is...good play realness