Through February, the stage production of Fat Ham will premiere at the Cleveland Play House. It's a cleverly hilarious retelling of William Shakespeare's Hamlet through the eyes of "Juicy," a Southern Black mama’s boy during a backyard cookout. It unapologetically centers Black joy and flips masculinity on its head. For many, the play's premise might cause a casual reader to double-take. Yet, the production won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize winner for drama and was nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Play. This summer, England's Royal Shakespeare Company itself will stage the European premiere.
From Hollywood film to literature and theatre productions--contemporary spins on classics are not a new concept. These reinterpretations often reach new audiences, create new models for artistic production, and create space for entire communities.
Join us at the Happy Dog as Cleveland Public Theatre's Raymond Bobgan and Fat Ham's Dramaturg Nina Domingue discuss what happens when artistic creativity challenges convention.
Let us know if you're coming! Registration is not required, but it helps us prepare and keeps you updated. Online RSVPs will be open through Monday, February 3rd at noon. Walk-ins are welcome! See you soon!
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The livestream will be available beginning at 7:30p.m. Have questions? Send a text to 330.541.5794.