For the first time, Island City Stage, Brevo Theatre, and Gable Stage have collaborated to bring the Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-nominated play “Fat Ham” for a South Florida premiere.
Normally, it is a case of too many cooks spoil the broth, but in this case, the “Fat Ham” in question is done to perfection. The cast — not a weak performance in the bunch — sizzles with electricity, the deceptively simple set has a few tricks up its sleeve, and even the set pieces are exceptional.
Set at a South Carolina backyard BBQ/wedding reception, the play is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. By loose, I mean very loose. A lot of the sub-plots are missing, and they aren’t missed, as the show flies by in a little over an hour and a half without intermission. Juicy is a queer Black man, standing in for Hamlet, whose mother Tedra has just married his Uncle Rev, who most likely set up the murder of his Pap (in prison for slicing a man’s throat because he had bad breath).
Henry Cadet is excellent in portraying Juicy’s discomfort with his mother’s new relationship and hilarious when he encounters the ghost of his father Pap ably played by Melvin Hufnagle, who also plays his new father, Rev. Hufnagle’s handling of the dual role is pitch perfect. I didn’t even realize they were the same person until I checked my program. His death scene as Rev is harrowing and hysterical all at once.
April Nixon brings toughness and vulnerability to Tedra. Mikhael Mendoza is delightful as the drugged-out Tio (I’ll never look at a gingerbread man the same way again), and Toddra Brunson as Rabby works her church-lady role like a pro. Cassidy Joseph and Denzel McCausland, both recent graduates of FAU’s theater department, are perfect in their roles. I look forward to seeing more of both of them on local stages.
TM Pride’s direction keeps things moving at a rapid pace but allows moments for each actor to shine and serves the story well. A director’s work is best when it seems like the play is just unfolding in front of your eyes, and he accomplishes that. But I still want to know how he made that body disappear!
“Fat Ham” runs until May 4 at Island City Stage.
