The Pulitzer Prize-winning play that reimagines Shakespeare's "Hamlet" at a Southern family barbecue, blending comedy and tragedy.
In "Fat Ham," playwright James Ijames transforms Shakespeare's "Hamlet" into a contemporary Southern setting. The story centers on Juicy, a young Black queer man, who is confronted by his father's ghost during a backyard barbecue. The apparition demands that Juicy avenge his murder by killing Juicy's uncle, who has married Juicy's mother. Juicy grapples with this demand, seeking to break cycles of violence and trauma while exploring themes of identity, family dynamics, and personal liberation. The play blends humor and tragedy, offering a compelling examination of love, loss, pain, and joy.