“Fat Ham,” James Ijames’ 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner onstage in a Northern California premiere presented by San Francisco Playhouse, is explosive. With oblique references to Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” it weighs in on the dark and comic nature of humanity and emerges on the bright side.
Directed by veteran Bay Area actor-director-educator Margo Hall (also artistic director of Lorraine Hanberry Theatre in San Francisco), “Fat Ham” moves fast. Juicy (Devin A. Cunningham) is a Black queer man whose family lives in less than tranquil harmony. Generations of men have been imprisoned, including his father Pap.
But Pap, who was murdered by his brother Rev (both roles brilliantly acted by Ron Chapman), appears to Juicy as a ghost seeking revenge. To make matters worse, Rev has married Juicy’s mother Tedra (a highly flamboyant Jenn Stephens).
What is Juicy to do?
At a backyard barbecue celebrating the newly married couple (the pitch-perfect setting is by designer Nina Ball), Juicy talks with his cousin Tio (a madcap Jordan Covington), backs off from his mother and demonstrates affection for childhood pals Larry (Samuel Ademola) and Opal (Courtney Gabrielle Williams), eventually coming to blows with Larry, also gay and lonely, as he ponders his decision.
Phaedra Tillery-Boughton as Rabby, Larry and Opal’s mother, adds manic spice to every scene.
“Fat Ham” is ablaze with dancing and singing. It would be hard to imagine a better cast to handle Ijames’ handsomely crafted play.
Cunningham is by turns ebullient when in the company of friends and despairing as he recalls the past. Juicy can’t get over how his homophobic father burned his favorite doll, or the verbal abuse dished by his uncle.
Ultimately, in addressing his past and deciding not to take the role of avenger but to proceed with love, Juicy ends his family history’s cycle of violence.
Ijames, as he borrows from “Hamlet,” makes a powerful statement about choosing humanity over cruelty and heartlessness.
“Fat Ham” continues through April 19 at San Francisco Playhouse, 450 Post St., San Francisco. Tickets are $35 to $135 at sfplayhouse.org.
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