Fat Ham
This March, The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio is producing James Ijames’ Pulitzer Prize–winning and five-time Tony nominated Fat Ham, a witty take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet where the only real death is the patriarchy.
To be or not to be certainly is the question for Juicy, a young, queer Black man. Juicy grapples with identity, family, responsibility, and honesty as generations clash at a backyard barbecue, serving up all of the drama, wit, and existential angst of the Bard with a generous side of humor and heart. Directed by David Glover, the play runs March 6-23 in Studio One at the Vern Riffe Center. Glover also directed …So You Could’ve Held My Hand at The Contemporary in 2023.
“Fat Ham is one of those incredibly special plays that is smart, moving, silly, and hilarious,” said Leda Hoffmann, Artistic Director of The Contemporary. “A big, beautiful celebration of being true to yourself, the play is full of laughs and has those tricky family dynamics everyone will recognize.”
The New York Times calls Fat Ham “a hilarious yet profound tragedy smothered in comedy.” Variety said“Fat Ham is a total gas — the funniest and most invigorating new show on Broadway,” and The New Yorker called it “an uproarious reimaging of Hamlet.”
“There are some very obvious callouts to Hamlet including puns and a few direct quotes, but audience members who don’t recall the original story will not be left behind,” said Christy Farnbauch, Executive Director of The Contemporary. “Come ready to have a great time.”
Tickets for Fat Ham are $65.38 each, inclusive of fees, and can be purchased online at TheContemporaryOhio.org.
Preview shows are scheduled for Thursday, March 6 and Friday 7, at 7:30 p.m. The production will continue its run through March 23, with shows on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. The play runs for 90 minutes with no intermission and is recommended for patrons 13 years of age and older.
The theatre will offer a Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) performance, sponsored by the Robert Weiler Company, on Friday, March 14. PWYW tickets may be purchased in advance by telephone (614-469-0939), in person at the CBUSArts ticket office (55 E. State St.), or at the venue starting two hours before showtime. The Contemporary also offers $20 student rush tickets to every performance. Tickets (one per student with a valid ID) are sold at the box office (77 S. High St., Fourth Floor) up to two hours before curtain and are subject to availability.
Patrons can enter the building from the High Street entrance or through the parking garage accessed from Front Street.
The production of Fat Ham is generously supported by a $10,000 Challenge America award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Supporting sponsors of the show are Thompson Hine and Nationwide; with additional support provided by the Edwards Companies.
Season support comes from the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the City of Columbus, and Franklin County, as well as The Shubert Foundation, Inc., and the Ohio Arts Council, a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically with state tax dollars from the Ohio Legislature. The Contemporary also appreciates the support from The Columbus Foundation, Martha G. Staub Fund, who assists donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all its citizens.
About The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio is central Ohio’s leading professional Equity theatre company, providing exceptional productions and educational programs for adults and young people in response to our community’s needs. We believe theatrical storytelling transforms people of all ages by immersing them into immediate, communal experiences. The Contemporary exists to harness the transformational power of theatre that engages with our current moment to inspire a community of empathy. For more information, visit TheContemporaryOhio.org.
The Contemporary Ohio’s Vision:
We strive to become an anti-racist, nationally recognized contemporary theatre company that anchors a thriving Columbus theatre ecosystem in an empathetic, equitable world.
The Contemporary’s Purpose/Mission:
To harness the transformational power of theatre that engages with our current moment to inspire a community of empathy.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2876695-0
Booking: https://go.evvnt.com/2876695-2
