Cleveland Play House presents Fat Ham, a bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet

The Cleveland Play House is presenting a production of Fat Ham. This play by James Ijames flips Hamlet upside down. Imagine Hamlet but make it Black, Queer, and set at a modern-day Southern barbeque. That’s Fat Ham and it is wild. This was my first time attending a play at The Playhouse Square and I was impressed with the representation of black culture depicted in Fat Ham. What a great way to begin my celebration 0f Black History Month!

“Fat Ham” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. The story is set in the South at a backyard barbeque where “Juicy” a queer black man liberates himself after finding out shocking family secrets. The production blends themes of revenge and generational trauma with humor, singing, and dancing. I felt a connection to the storyline in regards to how important it is to be yourself.

 Ananias J. Dixon embodied the role of Juicy and stole my heart with his boldness and passion to be true to himself.  I enjoyed the lightheartedness on the topic of family drama that many of us are familiar with in African American families. Ananias J. Dixon truly showcased emotional depth and connected with us through various moments of laughing, frustration and reflection with his character Juicy.

 I found myself laughing and singing along to the timeless classics that they performed. It was not a musical but true to the black experience, music and dance have always found a way of connecting us. What I loved most is how it tackles heavy themes such as grief, masculinity and identity with humor which feels natural. Chicago native and veteran actress Tanesha Gary brought “Tedra” Juicy’s mother to life. She made the character feel so real and depicted the complex relationship that often exists between a parent and adult child. It was like therapy with a side of ribs.

This play may not be for someone who is traditional and conservative as it truly pushes the envelope with its bold, brilliant reimaging of Shakespeare’s classic. I am someone who thinks I think freely and have an open mind and there were moments that had my mouth dropped. James IJames broke the mold with his creative expression of real-life challenges while masterfully blending dark humor with deep emotional resonance. This is a must-see for anyone who loves theatre that is fearless and unapologetically real.

The show runs from February 1st  to February 23rd  in the Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square. If you are Black identifying be sure to check out their upcoming Black Out Night on Sunday, February 23rd,2025 at 7:30pm. This night is reserved for the black community to curate a supportive, safe and judgment-free space for black theatergoers.