Fat Ham Sizzles - Audiences Are Eating Up Tickets For This Smokin' Hot Adaptation

“Oh, my goodness, I had such a good time at the first preview of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham at Island City Stage in conjunction with Brévo Theatre!” – Latrice Royale

“Fat Ham at Island City Stage is serving up Shakespeare with a side of BBQ, glitter and pure queer brilliance – and it is DELICIOUS. If you’ve ever thought, “What if Hamlet was funny, Black, Southern and unapologetically gay?” Well, this is your moment. DO NOT miss it.” – Chris Caputo

“Soaking up more culture tonight - Island City Stage, GableStage and Brévo Theatre’s production of Fat Ham was absolutely amazing. You have to treat yourself to a fantastic production. I thoroughly enjoyed the play, a must see.” - Lorenzo Robertson

"This collaboration represents the best of what South Florida’s theatre community can achieve when we come together," said Martin Childers, Managing Director of Island City Stage. "With Fat Ham, we have an extraordinary opportunity to engage diverse audiences, push artistic boundaries and create an experience that will resonate deeply with our communities."

Fat Ham transforms Shakespeare's Hamlet into an over-the-top tale set in a North Carolina BBQ pit. With a twist, the Danish castle becomes a Southern backyard barbecue and Juicy, a Black, gay southern kid, navigates familial legacies and a ghostly demand for vengeance. The clash of generations unfolds in this award-winning adaptation, exploring the complexities of identity and violence. Fat Ham stars Toddra Brunson; Rabby, Henry Cadet; Juicy, Melvin Huffnagle; Rev/Papa, Cassidy Joseph; Opal, Denzel McCausland; Larry, Mikhael Mendoza; Tio and April Nixon; Tedra.

T.M. Pride, Producing Artistic Director for Brévo Theatre and Director of this Fat Ham effort, shared, "This production is a testament to the power of reimagining stories through fresh cultural lenses. Fat Ham brings a dynamic and relevant perspective to a classic work, making it accessible and resonant for today’s audiences. Fat Ham is an opportunity to celebrate Black culture within a powerful storytelling, yet classical framework. It’s an honor to direct James Ijames’ reimagining of this classic tale and bring it to the vibrant communities throughout South Florida."

"By collaborating on Fat Ham, we’re not only expanding the reach of this incredible work but also creating an opportunity for audiences to experience a Shakespearean adaptation that feels deeply modern and relevant,” said Rosalyn Stuzin, GableStage Board President. “This is the kind of production that sparks conversation long after the curtain falls. It’s particularly exciting for us to connect this contemporary adaptation of Hamlet with our ongoing Shakespeare in Schools program, allowing the Miami-Dade County community to experience both the classic and its modern reimagining."

As part of this unique presentation, the theatre companies will offer a series of fun cookouts and community conversations to engage audiences. “Who’s Invited to the Cookout?” will take place on Saturday, April 19th, 2025 at Island City Stage; “Ham It Up” with catering by Sunni Speaks will take place on Sunday, April 20th, 2025 and on Sunday, May 4th, 2025 at Island City Stage and on Saturday, June 15th, 2025 at GableStage; “Who Made the Potato Salad?” will take place on Sunday, April 27th, 2025 at Island City Stage and on Sunday, May 25th, 2025 at GableStage and “Mosaic Miami Presents: Can We Talk? A Ham-plified Conversation” will take place on Friday, May 23rd, 2025 at GableStage.

“The Warten Foundation is pleased to fund this historic collaboration that offers a rare opportunity for three highly lauded theater groups to authentically address their respective missions and use the unique powers of live theater to continue the discussion regarding diversity, equity and inclusion within the context of a brilliant and funny theatrical production,” said Clifford J. Cideko, Chairman of the Warten Foundation.

Fat Ham is presented by an arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. The play runs for one hour and 35 minutes with no intermission.

Individual show tickets at Island City Stage start at $43. A Mimosa Sunday reception sponsored by Misty Daniels will take place on Sunday, April 13th, 2025 with tickets at $60. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.islandcitystage.org - Call: (954) 928-9800. Or email: boxoffice@islandcitystage.org.

Individual show tickets at GableStage start at $40. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.gablestage.org - Or call: (305) 445-1119.