From the KPBS Spring Arts Guide: Playwright James Ijames won a Pulitzer Prize for drama for his spin on Shakespeare's "Hamlet," which brings us Juicy, a queer, smart, Black college student faced with the ghost of his father who shows up at a family barbecue looking for revenge. But these generational woes don't quite play out like Hamlet himself might have expected. Ijames' take is about finding agency and stepping out of the cycles of trauma and violence. Directed by Sideeq Heard at The Old Globe. Details: "Fat Ham." May 25 through June 23. The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. Tickets on sale April 12. From the theater: By James Ijames Original direction by Saheem Ali Directed by Sideeq Heard The 2022 Pulitzer-winning, Tony-nominated sensation Fat Ham is a fresh and funny take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet that The New York Times called “a flat-out hilarious comedy.” During a Southern family cookout, Juicy is confronted by the ghost of his father, who demands revenge for his murder. But Juicy, a young, queer, Black man, has enough on his plate. James Ijames’s remarkable play uses uproarious humor and profound insight to explore the conflict between what you owe your family and what you owe yourself. “Smart, fearless, and wildly entertaining” (The Chicago Tribune). This production includes strong language, mature themes, sexual content, and mild violence. Related events: Vicki and Carl Zeiger Insights Seminar: Tuesday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. Community Night: Friday, May 31 and Friday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. Post Show Forum: Tuesday, June 4; Wednesday, June 12; and Wednesday, June 19 (evening performance). Open-Caption Performance: Saturday, June 15 at 2:00 p.m. Related links: The Old Globe: website | Instagram | Facebook
