In my interview with actor Tyler Ray Lewis, who stars in Fat Ham as the central character Juicy, they talked about how hilarious James Ijames’ play was. They weren’t wrong, but the impression they made was a bit off center as the play was also heavy on family drama that was often jarring or uncomfortable. In Stage West’s regional premiere of the Black queer take on Hamlet, Juicy navigates the troubling habits of his own family’s history and strives to break those angry and violent cycles.
Stage West opened the Pulitzer Prize-winning play last Friday. The final show in Stage West’s season is also a co-production with Dallas Theater Center. Directed by vickie washington, Fat Ham was a volatile mix of comedy and drama that resulted in a satisfying mess. The characters were far from perfect making them more relatable and Ijames’ final scene was an absurdist joy that also didn’t tie things up nicely, but instead left an optimistic impression for each character.
Juicy’s father Pap has died and a week later, Juicy’s mother Tedra marries his Uncle Rev. Pap appears to Juicy as a ghost demanding vengeance while Juicy just wants to continue his online education at the University of Phoenix for a degree in human resources. Rev isn’t too keen on Juicy’s soft-acting gloomy style and wants to toughen him up. Tedra tries to stand by her man and her son despite their opposing sides. Rabby shows up to the party with her adult children Larry and Opal where truths come to light. Tio helps Juicy with preparations before disappearing before the party starts and returns after most of the drama has unfolded.
While Lewis was the focal point of Fat Ham as Juicy, the entire ensemble cast shined brightly, each actor bringing a distinct and compelling interpretation to their role. These characteristics stood out and gave the show a poetic and even zany realism to the humanity onstage.
A particular delight of the show was the frequent presence of multiple actors onstage. Each not only fully fleshed out their characters but also added subtle nuances and characteristics that offered peripheral enjoyment to the central narrative. Fat Ham consistently captivated, and it was rewarding to observe how every actor contributed depth to the scene without ever becoming a distraction. Cherish Love’s quizzical smile, Jori Jackson’s perpetual sneer and Zachary J. Willis’ antsy demeanor, for instance, introduced humorous layers to various moments.
Lewis’ portrayal of Juicy was a complex tapestry of pain, hope and resignation. Juicy faced constant adversity, from his own family with his mother spending his tuition money to his father’s ghost making angry demands that didn’t sit well with Juicy. Lewis expertly captured the inherent sadness of Juicy’s situation while also imbuing the character with strength and a persistent sense of hope, even amidst pervasive negativity. This made Juicy’s triumphant moments particularly moving thanks to Lewis’ talents..
Calvin Gabriel delivered a terrifyingly intense portrayal of Rev and Pap in Fat Ham. His gruff voice perfectly conveyed Rev’s domineering nature, and his powerful physicality made both characters larger than life. Conversely, Morton expertly navigated Tedra’s internal struggle to support both her son and new husband. She depicted Tedra as strong-willed, but also hinted at a fragility, as the character grappled with her husband’s death, marriage to her brother-in-law, and Juicy’s ongoing issues.
Love’s portrayal of Rabby, despite the character often serving as little more than a narrative accessory, was a magnetic and sharply comedic full performance. Rabby truly has her moment in the second half, and Love played it with masterful strokes. Jackson’s kid-sister approach as Rabby’s daughter, Opal, added a nice dynamic. Caleb Mosley delivered a wide range of depth as Larry, whose compelling arc was the most impactful despite a supporting role. Mosley’s performance began quite understated before exploding into a bombastic and ultimately flashy display. Tio, Juicy’s perpetually high pal with fleeting dreams of OnlyFans stardom, bookended the show. Willis, with limited stage time, delivered gold through Tio’s outlandish monologues. Willis buzzed around the stage and other actors like a mosquito, giving Tio a distinct energy, serving face, attitude, and a funky compassion while also playing the fool.
Director vickie washington, fresh from helming Circle’s A Strange Loop this summer, once again demonstrated her adeptness with queer narratives in Fat Ham. She masterfully guided her cast, allowing each member to radiate. The backyard set, designed by Donna Marquet, effectively facilitated the unfolding drama, and Luke Atkison’s lighting proved crucial in conveying the shifting moods of the production.
Fat Ham presented a unique experience. It wasn’t the pure comedy I anticipated, yet its unpredictable twists and jolts maintained an exhilarating and refreshing buoyancy amidst the dramatic weight. Ijames’ dramatic exposition and queer narrative avoided typical tropes which made this Ham is deserving of a full order.
The show runs through Sept. 14 and opens at Dallas Theater Center Jan. 30-Feb. 8 at the Kalita Humphreys Theater.
–Rich Lopez