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UPDATE: Extended through May 11, 2024
James Ijames’ 2022 Pulitzer Prize winning and Tony nominated play, “Fat Ham”, is now playing at the Geffen Playhouse in an intoxicating and deliriously funny production helmed by director Sideeq Heard. In language that is sassy and spicy one minute and luxuriously sensual and exquisite the next, Fat Ham takes the bones of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to tell the story of a young, queer, black man living with his mother in a rural town in “any-town” East Coast USA.
Our young “Hamlet”, a “soft” and sensitive Juicy, is getting his family’s backyard ready for the wedding barbecue for his Mom and uncle, when his week-long, dead father’s ghost appears to him, tasking him with the revenge killing of the uncle – who he says had him murdered. While it’s loosely based on Hamlet, Ijames’ story is less of a traditional tragedy and more a story of people working through their trauma and environment to discover that Shakespeare’s advice “To thine own self be true” is a path towards healing.
Infused with the particular hysterical humor that can come from a family barbecue when things inevitably get real, Fat Ham manages to deliver powerful characters stuggling through their generational trauma of toxic masculinity, violence, cultural and societal restraints, with both poignancy and laughter. There are cheeky asides to the audience that come with a certain self-awareness that they might be revealing too much. It brings the audience in on the fun from the beginning, and from the whooping, hollering and “mmhmms” coming from the house, it’s clear we were along for the ride.
Nikki Crawford is Juicy’s mother, Tedra – she was nominated for a Tony and won the Obie for originating this role on Broadway and well, I’m not surprised because from the moment she steps on the stage, Crawford grabs your full attention and does not let go. She imbues Tedra with a whole life of hard times and keeping her head above water with every gesture. She is bold and heartbreaking and you simply can’t take your eyes off of her. Billy Eugene Jones matches her energy in a riveting portrayal of both the ghost of Pap and his brother, Rev, that is both charming and menacing.
Chris Herbie Holland as Juicy’s buddy, Tio, turns in an incredibly charismatic, snappy performance that delivers big laughs and a very thought-provoking monologue. Benja Kay Thomas is Tedra’s best friend, Rabby, who brings her Marine son and brooding daughter to the festivities. Thomas embodies an amalgamation of every judgy, big hugging, God-fearing, smothering Southern auntie at the cookout you’ve ever known in a performance that adds warmth and even more humor to the mix. Playing her hoodie-wearing, angsty teenager, Opal, is Adrianna Mitchell who is earnest and forceful in her dismay at being there as well as her “all in” support of Juicy. Matthew Elijah Webb gives Rabby’s marine son, Larry, a subtle, delicate touch while delivering some of the most poetic of Ijames’ words.
A gentle and powerful Marcel Spears draws you in as Juicy with an assured presence that hooks you into his journey minute one. Heard’s direction is taut and furious, bringing Fat Ham to it’s exuberant conclusion in a brisk and exhilarating 90 minutes.
FAT HAM is playing at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse through May 5, 2024. Located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets currently priced at $30.00 – $129.00. Available by phone at 310.208.2028 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.org. Fees may apply.
All Geffen Playhouse productions are intended for an adult audience; children under ten years of age will not be admitted.
Rush tickets for each day’s performance are made available to the general public one hour before showtime at the box office. $35.00 General/$15.00 Student.
