presented by capital group
FAT HAM
By JAmes ijames
directed by jerrell L. henderson
January 29 - february 16, 2025
What if the hero of the story wasn’t who everyone expected? Meet Juicy, a young Southern queer college boy grappling with grief, identity…and now the ghost of his father demanding vengeance for his murder!? Set against the backdrop of a family wedding barbecue, will the poetic and sensitive Juicy lose his courage to get the answers he needs or will he find the strength to ‘his own self, be true.’ This Pulitzer-Prize-winning adaptation by James Ijames serves you a juicy blend of comedy, drama, and social commentary with a side of soul food; and reimagines this timeless classic with a bold and innovative look that shatters stereotypes and celebrates identity, togetherness, and the meaning of family.
“Delicious, funny and piercingly moving, Fat Ham is a celebration that’s as thoughtful as it is irreverent.” – Daily Beast
“Hot and sizzling... A raucous, flat-out hilarious comedy... Fat Ham is a revelation.”
– The New York Times
“Uproarious... an unalloyed comedy pleasure.” – Wall Street Journal
“Don’t let that Pulitzer Prize fool you. Fat Ham is the most fun you'll have at any play.”
– The Wrap
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Run Time: 95 minutes with no intermission
Audience Recommendation: Fat Ham is recommended for ages 14+.
Content Advisory: It contains discussions of pornography, sex and violence; profanity; homophobia; and the N-word (spoken by characters of color).
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January 29 - 31 | Preview Performances
January 31 at 7:30pm | HR Pride and Young Professionals Night
January 31 | DRAGFIXATION - Post-Show Drag performance
February 1 at 6:45PM | Meet the Director
February 1 at 7:30PM | Opening Night Performance
February 2 + 9 @ 2:00PM | Post Show Talkbacks
February 8 @ 3PM | Audio Description & Open Captioning*
February 8 at 7:30PM | ASL Performance*
February 9 at 7:30PM | Pay What You Choose
February 12 at 7:30PM | Divine Nine Night
February 13 at 3PM | Theatre for Everyone
February 14 | DRAGFIXATION - Post-Show Drag performance*Seating for Audio Description & Open Captioning is provided in the Orchestra Left. Please use promo code “AccessVA” on checkout for proper booking.
*Seating for ASL is provided in the Orchestra Left side of the House. Please use promo code “ASL” on checkout for proper booking.
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Meet the Cast HERE
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Directed by JERRELL L. HENDERSON†
Scenic Designer CAITLIN MCLEOD
Costume Designer NIA SAFARR BANKS
Lighting Designer JASON LYNCH
Sound Designer SARTJE PICKETT
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
Production Photos of FAT HAM
Behind the Scenes Bites of FAT HAM
Virginia Stage Company welcomes and invites members of the Divine Nine Community to a special performance of FAT HAM. Use code DIVINE9 for a special discount to join your sorority for this deep fried southern comedy.
Have a side of Drag with your FAT HAM Main with DRAGFIXATION
Dragfixation is a special two night engagement following performances of Fat Ham on January 31 and February 14. Ticketholders for these evening performances are invited to stay after and enjoy the talents and incredible stylings of Vivian Valentin, Queen Nairobi, and Javon Love!
So come for the cookout, and stay for the drag! Get yourself a drink, bring some tips, and still be home by 10pm with this two part evening sure to be the highlight of your week!
“The tragedy of Shakespeare is replaced by something witty, moving and life affirming... Instead of the tragedy-and-then-some of Hamlet, this is a play that emphasizes life, and specifically Black queer joy, while interrogating all the things that conspire to negate the life and feelings of the central character... The play is a compact 90 minutes, but it’s as dense and thoughtful as it is light on its feet and irreverent.” – Daily Beast
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING…
DIVING DEEPER
Juicy, a queer southern college boy, is played by Marcus Antonio along with dual role-playing Kevin Craig West, who is Pap and Rev. Both actors appeared on Coast Live and discussed the play that's set against the backdrop of a family wedding barbecue.