‘Fat Ham’: Family ties & secrets revealed

‘FAT HAM’: (Left to right, clockwise): Calvin Leon Smith, Nikki Crawford, Billy Eugene Jones, Benja Kay Thomas, Adrianna Mitchell & Marcel Spears. Photo: Joan Marcus.

FAT HAM
Written by James Ijames
Directed by Saheem Ali
Through July 2, 2023
American Airlines Theatre
227 West 42nd Street
(212-719-1300), www.FatHamBroadway.com

By David NouNou

There is a lot to process in James Ijames’ 2022 Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Fat Ham. There is a lot of fat and gristle to go through until you get to the meaningful middle, and that’s Marcel Sparks as the delicious Juicy.

Since there is no curtain, as one walks into the American Airlines Theatre, the setting is a backyard, somewhere in the Black South replete with tables, folding chairs and a barbecue smoker. In the middle of this set is a wreath with Pap’s picture in the middle. At the onset Juicy and his childhood friend Teo (Chris Herbie Holland) are chatting away and setting up decorations for a backyard party. Pap, Juicy’s dad (Billy Eugene Jones), died last week, and Juicy’s mom, Tedra (Nikki Crawford) has just gotten married today to Rev (again Billy Eugene Jones) who happens to be Pap’s brother, and Juicy’s uncle. Hence the preparations for this festive barbecue.

During setting up, Pap’s ghost appears in a white suit and smoke billowing from his shoulders, and he wants Juicy to avenge his murder by the hands of Rev. This sets up the narrative/comparison to Hamlet. Pap taunts Juicy for being “soft” (gay) and doesn’t have the courage to do it. At this point, Juicy breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience. Both Pap and Rev have been mean to Juicy while growing up and never gave him the respect he deserves. It also gives Juicy his conscience and dilemma—at what point does one break the cycle of meanness and killing and stand up for one’s own principles and convictions as the kind and sweet-natured man Juicy is?

There are more people arriving to this barbecue: Rabby (Benja Kay Thomas), Tedra’s loud church lady friend and her two children, Juicy’s childhood friends: Larry (Calvin Leon Smith) and Opal (Adrianna Mitchell). Besides Juicy being “soft,” every character has a secret that can’t be revealed till a crisis has to eventually emerge.

There are parts that seem contrived and stereotypical, but at the center of it all is Juicy. A wonderful young man who is kind on the inside, has a heart and a mind and cares about everything and everyone, and who is determined on the outside. Marcel Sparks is the embodiment of Juicy. He infuses life into this complex character and gives him dimension to lift him up from his everyday life and surroundings.

Everyone else gives an over-the-the top quality to their performances that is not always honed, fine-tuned or reined in by director Saheem Ali. The performances are outrageous and all over the place. They lack the discipline Mr. Sparks has given to Juicy.  Despite its shortcomings, Fat Ham has many funny moments and has a lot to say about family ties and adjusting to one’s own true self.

Edited by Scott Harrah
Published April 17, 2023
Reviewed at April 16, 2023 press performance.

‘FAT HAM’: Adrianna Mitchell, Chris Herbie Holland & Marcel Spears. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Marcel Spears & Calvin Leon Smith. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Marcel Spears & Billy Eugene Jones. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Adrianna Mitchell & Benja Kay Thomas. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Marcel Spears & Nikki Crawford. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Marcel Spears & Adrianna Mitchell. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: Marcel Spears. Photo: Joan Marcus.

‘FAT HAM’: (Left to right): Nikki Crawford, Billy Eugene Jones, Benja Kay Thomas, Adrianna Mitchell, Calvin Leon Smith & Marcel Spears in front. Photo: Joan Marcus.