The Public Theater and National Black Theatre have extended their co-production of 2022 Pulitzer-winning Fat Ham by James Ijames from June 12 to June 19. Previews began May 12, and the play will officially open its New York premiere May 26.
Ijames' reinvention of Shakespeare's Hamlet, exploding the psychological classic into a comic tragedy, was recently announced as the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Taking place at a cookout, Juicy, a queer Southern college kid, grapples with identity questions, the ghost of his father, a supernatural demand for vengeance, and the choice of breaking or continuing cycles of trauma and violence.
Starring in the production are Marcel Spears as Juicy, Nikki Crawford as Tedra, Chris Herbie Holland as Tio, Billy Eugene Jones as Rev/Papp, Adrianna Mitchell as Opal, Calvin Leon Smith as Larry, and Benja Kay Thomas as Rabby.
See photos of the production below!
Marcel Spears
The cast of Fat Ham
Billy Eugene Jones and Marcel Spears
Chris Herbie Holland, Adrianna Mitchell, Benja Kay Thomas, and Calvin Leon Smith
Billy Eugene Jones and Nikki Crawford
Benja Kay Thomas
Marcel Spears and Adrianna Mitchell
Chris Herbie Holland and Marcel Spears
Calvin Leon Smith and Billy Eugene Jones
The cast of Fat Ham
Marcel Spears
Marcel Spears and Nikki Crawford
READ: Marcel Spears, Star of Fat Ham, Talks Shakespeare and Southern Cookouts
The Public's Associate Artistic Director and Resident Director Saheem Ali directs the production which also features scenic design by Maruti Evans, costume design by Dominique Fawn Hill, lighting design by Stacey Derosier, sound design by 2022 Tony nominee Mikaal Sulaiman, hair and wig design by Earon Chew Nealey, fight direction by Lisa Kopitsky, and choreography by Darrell Moultrie. Props are by Claire M. Kavanah, and illusions are by Skylar Fox. Jereme Kyle serves as production stage manager and Ryan Kane serves as stage manager.
For tickets and more information, visit PublicTheater.org.
