Through February 23
Director Nathan Henry serves up a comic feast in the Cleveland Play House’s production of Fat Ham by James Ijames. This engaging play, set in contemporary North Carolina, seasons a backyard family barbecue with irreverent splashes of Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
It seems the barbecue is to celebrate the wedding of Juicy’s recently widowed mother to his uncle. The parallels to Shakespeare’s Hamlet are easy to catch (and the story’s fun even if you dozed through your required English classes). It’s even funnier if you just go with the flow and think about it afterwards.
As Juicy, Ananias J. Dixon is both loveable and laughable, especially as his language switches from “Southern” to Shakespearian. Dixon only delivers a few fragments from the Bard, but the ones he does are said with such mellow feeling one would like to see him in the classic Hamlet too. He’s also adept at riding the physical comedy packed into the play. Just wait ’til Juicy meets his ghostly uncle!
Juicy’s father, known here as “Pap,” and his uncle (called “Rev”) are both played by Paul Oakley Stovall. Stovall’s over-the-top (in a good way) performance as domineering brothers makes the final ending delightful — much more cheerful in a way than in Shakespeare’s bloody tragedy (not that there’s not death, just that it’s funny.)
The family gathering wouldn’t be complete without Juicy’s mother who, widowed last week, immediately married Juicy’s uncle. As Tedra the bride, Tanesha Gary (like Hamlet’s mother Gertrude) deals with the men in her life with affection and comic patience.
Tedra’s backed up by well-meaning Rabby (Mariama Whyte) and Rabby’s unsettled daughter, Opal (Shunté Lotfton). Mell-Vonti Bowens, Jr. plays Rabby’s son Larry, a handsome marine, who as it turns out is Juicy’s true ally.
And let’s not forget Tio (Brendan Peifer), Juicy’s ultra-hippy, spaced-out cuz. Peifer’s comic, cosmic trips fit right in — he’s just another ham.
Scenic designer Shaun Motley’s backyard setting, a picnic table (with a red and white checkered tablecloth), shed, barbeque, and fence — all surrounded by realistic trees — conveyed a North Carolina vibe. Costume designer Yvonne L. Miranda, along with wig designer Rueben D. Echoles, worked similar magic to accent the play’s festive, yet satiric vibe.
Music director Colleen Longshaw Jackson added perfect musical notes, especially at the BBQ’s conclusion. Credit should also go to Dakota Cox (drag consultant), Dusten A. Welch (fight choreographer), Brandon Rice (stage carpenter). Casey Rattz, Aaron Frazier, and Kimberly Grice also contributed.
Bottom Line: Festive and delicious, Fat Ham, now playing at the Cleveland Play House, is so terrific I’m (almost) running out of adjectives. No wonder it won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It’s the perfect play for this dark, icy, dire winter February.
[Written by Laura Kennelly]