James Ijames Gives “Hamlet” Brand-New Black American Look

by Emily S. Mendel

“Fat Ham” is a rollicking comedy that won the Pulitzer Prize in 2022. Acclaimed playwright James Ijames takes a new look at Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” by transposing the characters to a modern Black family in North Carolina. He makes tragedy into comedy—a great idea.

Behind the farce and clichés of “Fat Ham,” author Ijames explores the male characters’ difficulty in figuring out who they should be and how they should behave. Pap and Rev (both played by Ron Chapman) are aggressive, hyper-masculine types who think being a man means being cruel and selfish. Young Tio (multi-talented Jordan Covington), who interestingly is in therapy, points out the family cycle goes back to the days of enslavement and generations of fathers in prison.

Juicy, the Hamlet replacement (endearing Devin A. Cunningham), needs better role models but must find them himself. Ijames de-fangs the tragedy to make an over-the-top comedy. Although you don’t have to know “Hamlet,” it does help because the best part is how the playwright translates tragedy into comedy. Hamlet is now the queer, self-aware, overweight Juicy, who is trying to get over the death of his malicious and mean father Pap. He is depressed by his mother’s (sensual Jenn Stephens) immediate marriage to his Uncle Rev. Father Pap and Uncle Rev, are both overplayed with exaggerated dialect.

When the ghost of Pap appears, he explains that Rev was behind his death in prison. The ghost demands that Juicy get revenge by killing Rev. But the thoughtful, gentle, introspective Juicy needs to stay true to his inner self. In “Fat Ham,” the younger folks’ attempt to stop hiding who they are, rather than conform to elders’ expectations.

For example, family friend, the church lady Auntie Rabby (explosive Phaedra Tillery-Boughton) tries to fix up her daughter Opal (intriguing Courtney Gabrielle Williams) with Juicy. But Rabby refuses to notice that Opal is as gay as Juicy. Opal’s brother, Larry (stern Samuel Ademola), home from the Marines, seems to be suffering from PTSD. Larry is secretive and sexually conflicted. Only cousin Tio (Covington) seems to know who he is—he’s a loyal friend to Juicy who likes to get high.

San Francisco Playhouse’s new production fails to strike a balance between tragedy and comedy, despite the opening night audience’s raucous laughter. Juicy has some quiet, introspective moments, but the fast-paced, sitcom humor overwhelms them. The broad comedy overshadows much of its meaning.

Margo Hall’s direction keeps all the balls in the air over the 100-minute one-act production. The show’s pace is quite quick, perhaps too fast. As a result, some important lines are lost between muffled speech and audience laughter.

“Fat Ham” has many intriguing ideas and creative comic writing. But the physical sitcom-style and exaggerated acting cut deeply into the powerful, underlying themes. Lots of the audience roared with laughter, this broad, sexual comedy appeals to lots of folks.

 

“Fat Ham” by James Ijames, directed by Margo Hall, scenic design by Nina Ball, costumes by Lee Garber-Patel, lighting by Stephanie Johnson, sound by Ray Archie, at San Francisco Playhouse. Info: sfplayhouse.org – to April 19, 2025.

Cast: Samuel Ademola, Ron Chapman, Jordan Covington, Devin A. Cunningham, Jenn Stephens, Phaedra Tillery-Boughton, and Courtney Gabrielle Williams.

Banner photo: Rabby (Phaedra Tillery-Boughton), Tedra (Jenn Stephens), Juicy (Devin A. Cunningham), Larry (Samuel Ademola), and Opal (Courtney Gabrielle Williams). Photos: Jessica Palopoli

©Emily S. Mendel 2025   All Rights Reserved