“Fats Ham,” which gained creator James Ijames the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for drama, is usually described as a contemporary re-imagining of “Hamlet.”
I might disagree, although. In actuality, it’s extra a rebuttal to Shakespeare’s Danish tragedy. A intelligent, humorous, considerate and in the end uplifting rebuttal. One through which the principle and most insightful level is made by a stoned barbecue visitor who’s describing a hallucination involving a gingerbread man and, nicely, sexual pleasure. Oh sure, there’s raunchy materials, an emphasis on sexuality and gender identification, and an fascinating take a look at a generational divide. And a ghost.
Onstage in a vivid Orlando Shakes manufacturing, “Fats Ham” is about at a barbecue-slash-wedding-reception within the yard of a Southern Black household. Faculty-age son Juicy is conflicted as a result of his father has simply died and his mom has already remarried — to his father’s brother. Then, dad’s ghost pops as much as announce that his brother had him killed.
This, in fact, mirrors the setup of “Hamlet.” And it must be mentioned that Juicy follows the identical indecisive and meandering inside battle of the Danish prince. However the mist blowing by a Danish fort has grow to be the smoke from a barbecue, and Ijames has his personal form of poetry in his writing: The cadence of informal household speak.
Director Roberta Emerson and her actors get that cadence excellent, and Emerson thoughtfully lets the jokes land whereas retaining her characters grounded in actuality.
Many of the actors I’ve seen — and acclaimed — in different productions. However right here they delightfully shock yet again with characterizations far faraway from earlier roles. Essex O’Brien exudes masculine toxicity as Juicy’s uncle, whereas Patrece Bloomfield handles the complexity of Juicy’s mom with grace: She’s loving however egocentric, astute however blinded by her personal wants. It’s an interesting portrayal.
Jade L. Jones performs a seemingly prim, churchgoing household buddy with sufficient heat that the late revelation of a secret feels actual — and turns into even funnier. She’s aided by a surprising purple gown and hat; Jos. N. Banks’ costume design completely telegraphs every character, from Bloomfield’s just-a-bit cheesy couture to Juicy’s distinctive gown fashion.
Banks additionally performs, as household buddy Larry, a Marine who’s struggling together with his personal needs. It’s a honest efficiency in probably the most nebulous character. As Larry’s sister, Opal, Nyeshia Naomii lands ribtickling one-liners and devastating fact bombs with equal aplomb.
Lee Kelly, because the substance-addled visitor, brilliantly delivers a scene-stealing, show-stopping comedian monologue.
As for Juicy, he’s performed by Je’Shaun Jackson, who I occurred to catch onstage in New York Metropolis giving a heat and heartfelt efficiency in a supporting function in a brand new musical based mostly on the “Romy and Michele’s Excessive Faculty Reunion” film.
Jackson makes use of that very same heat and dedication to character right here, to wonderful impact — particularly when immediately addressing the viewers in Shakespearean monologues. Did I sometimes want Juicy confirmed extra hearth below the indecision? Sure, however I’ve thought that about many a Hamlet, as nicely.
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Technically, Stephen Jones’ lighting crisply distinguishes between actuality, ghostly apparitions and out-of-time monologues, whereas Britt Sandusky’s sound additionally delineates these elements — and throws in a memorable karaoke efficiency of Radiohead’s “Creep.”
Sure, one factor you’ll study is that yard events have rather a lot in frequent, regardless of the race of the hosts. Loads of meals, awkward grace, embarrassing karaoke, much more embarrassing video games and not less than one particular person goes to finish up removed from sober.
In a single intriguing scene, the characters cut up into groups for a recreation of charades — the reimagining of the play inside a play in “Hamlet” — alongside generational traces. The older characters are all content material to keep up the established order and stay for appearances, whereas the youthful characters worth truthful emotions, authenticity and private discovery and happiness. It’s a blazing reflection of our instances.
Additionally pleasant are the play’s different nods to “Hamlet.” Juicy’s monologues generally come immediately from the play in seriousness, generally in silliness. However the place Shakespeare’s characters marched inexorably towards their doom, as a result of that’s how issues performed out then, Juicy is decided to flip the script.
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Reality be instructed, selecting to interrupt a cycle of violence and trauma by honesty, authenticity and the pursuit of happiness doesn’t present an ending as beautiful as in Shakespeare’s work; in truth, the extent of acceptance and understanding on show by the finale strikes “Fats Ham” into the realm of fantasy and makes the ending the least dramatically satisfying a part of Ijames’ play. However it’s a fabulous journey to get there, with a message that hangs within the air as deliciously because the scent of yard barbecue.
Observe me at fb.com/matthew.j.palm or e mail me at mpalm@orlandosentinel.com. Discover extra leisure information and critiques at orlandosentinel.com/leisure or signal as much as obtain our weekly emailed Leisure e-newsletter.
‘Fats Ham’
• Size: 1:45, no intermission
• The place: Lowndes Shakespeare Middle, 812 E. Rollins St. in Orlando
• When: By way of March 29
• Value: $38 and up
• Data: orlandoshakes.org
