Fat Ham is a dramatic stage play written by American playwright James Ijames. It is a modern-day adaptation of William Shakespeare's Hamlet.
| Fat Ham | |
|---|---|
| Written by | James Ijames |
| Based on | Hamlet by William Shakespeare |
| Date premiered | April 23, 2021 |
| Place premiered | Wilma Theater, Philadelphia |
The play was awarded the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama[1][2][3] and was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Play.
Synopsis
editJuicy, a young queer black man, is confronted by the ghost of his father during a cookout, who demands that Juicy avenge his murder. Juicy, already familiar with Hamlet's plight, tries to break the cycles of trauma and violence.
Productions
editThe play premiered on April 23, 2021 in a filmed production for the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia. The digital production was available until May 23.[4]
It made its off-Broadway debut at The Public Theater on May 12, 2022,[5] to overwhelmingly positive reviews.[6] The Public Theater production transferred to Broadway in 2023 with the entire cast and most of the creative team intact. Previews began at the American Airlines Theatre on March 21, with opening night on April 12. The production once again received widespread critical acclaim[7] and five Tony Award nominations, including Best Play and Best Director of a Play.[8] The Broadway production was originally scheduled to have a strictly limited run through June 25, 2023.[9] The run was extended through July 2, 2023,[10] subsequently closing on that date.
The play will have its West Coast premiere in spring 2024 with a production at the Geffen Playhouse, based on the Public Theater production. Sideeq Heard will recreate Saheem Ali's direction, having served as Associate Director for the Broadway mounting. Most of the Broadway cast will reprise their roles, with Matthew Elijah Webb taking over as Larry after understudying the role on Broadway.[11]
In June 2024 The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, California produced the play featuring a new cast under the direction of Sideeq Heard.
Notable casts
edit| Character | Philadelphia | Off-Broadway[12] | Broadway[13] | Boston[14] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| Juicy | Brennen S. Malone | Marcel Spears | Marshall W. Mabry IV | |
| Pap | Lindsay Smiling | Billy Eugene Jones | James T. Alfred | |
| Tedra | Kimberly S. Fairbanks | Nikki Crawford | Ebony Marshall-Oliver | |
| Rev | Lindsay Smiling | Billy Eugene Jones | James T. Alfred | |
| Tio | Anthony Martinez-Briggs | Chris Herbie Holland | Lau'rie Roach | |
| Rabby | Jennifer Kidwell | Benja Kay Thomas | Thomika Marie Bridwell | |
| Opal | Taysha Marie Canales | Adrianna Mitchell | Victoria Omoregie | |
| Larry | Brandon J. Pierce | Calvin Leon Smith | Amar Atkins | |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Pulitzer Prize[2] | Pulitzer Prize for Drama | James Ijames | Won |
| 2023 | Tony Awards[8] | Best Play | Nominated | |
| Best Direction of a Play | Saheem Ali | Nominated | ||
| Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play | Nikki Crawford | Nominated | ||
| Best Costume Design of a Play | Dominique Fawn Hill | Nominated | ||
| Best Lighting Design of a Play | Bradley King | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Play | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design of a Play | Mikaal Sulaiman | Nominated | ||
| Drama League Awards | Outstanding Production of a Play | Nominated | ||
| Distinguished Performance | Marcel Spears | Nominated | ||
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | John Gassner Award for New American Play | James Ijames | Won | |
| 2024 | Lambda Literary Award[15] | Drama | James Ijames | Won |
References
edit- ^ Pengelly, Martin; Lee, Benjamin (2022-05-09). "Washington Post wins public service Pulitzer for Capitol attack coverage". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ^ a b Chapman, Wilson (2022-05-09). "Pulitzer Prizes Include James Ijames for 'Fat Ham,' Raven Chacon for 'Voiceless Mass'". Variety. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ^ "2022 Pulitzer Prizes". www.pulitzer.org. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ^ "Fat Ham". Wilma Theater. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ Evans, Greg (2022-05-09). "James Ijames' 'Fat Ham' Awarded Pulitzer Prize For Drama Just Days Before New York Debut". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
- ^ "Review Roundup: FAT HAM Opens at The Public Theater". BroadwayWorld. 2022-05-26. Retrieved 2022-05-26.
- ^ "Review Roundup: Pulitzer Prize-Winning FAT HAM Opens On Broadway!". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
- ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca. "Tony Award Nominations 2023: 'Some Like It Hot' Dominates, Followed by '& Juliet,' 'Shucked,' 'New York, New York'". Variety. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan. "Pulitzer-Winning Fat Ham Sets 2023 Broadway Bow". Playbill. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
- ^ Evans, Greg (2 June 2023). "Tony-Nominated 'Fat Ham' Extends Broadway Run". Deadline. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ Gordon, David. "Fat Ham Broadway Stars Will Reprise Performances in Geffen Playhouse Run". TheaterMania. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
- ^ Rabinowitz, Chloe (19 May 2022). "Photos: First Look at the Pulitzer Prize-Winning FAT HAM at The Public Theater". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ^ Oladipo, Gloria (2023-04-13). "Fat Ham review – Pulitzer-winning Hamlet revision hits Broadway". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
- ^ "Fat Ham". Huntington Theatre Company. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
- ^ "Announcing the Finalists for the 36th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". them. 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-04-05.