Skip to Main Content

Fat Ham

Jan 11 - Mar 9, 2025 in Goodman's Owen Theatre

Around 1 hour and 40 minutes with no intermission.


Please note, Fat Ham is sold out! Tickets may be returned last minute—call the box office at 312.443.3800 (12noon – 5pm) for the most up-to-date availability.


A boisterous Southern cookout sets the scene for a Black, queer discovery of self and resilience in this Pulitzer Prize-winning, five-time Tony nominated “uproarious reimagining of Hamlet” (The New Yorker).

“This is what I was raised in: pig guts and bad choices.” As Juicy grapples with his identity and his family at a backyard barbecue, his father’s ghost shows up asking for revenge—on Juicy’s uncle, who has married his widowed mom—bringing his quest for joy and liberation to a screeching halt. James Ijames has reinvented Shakespeare’s masterpiece, creating what the New York Times hails as “a hilarious yet profound tragedy, smothered in comedy,” where the only death is the patriarchy. Tyrone Phillips, Founding Artistic Director of Chicago’s famed Definition Theatre, directs.

A co-production with

Join us at special events for Fat Ham including affinity nights, artist discussions and more!

Recommended for ages 14+ 

Fat Ham is recommended for ages 14+. It contains discussions of pornography, sex and violence; profanity; and the N-word (spoken by characters of color).

Fat Ham | Scene 2 | Anji White and Ronald L. Conner | On Stage Through March 9 | Goodman Theatre
Fat Ham | Scene 1 | E. Faye Butler | On Stage Through March 9 | Goodman Theatre
Fat Ham | Audience Testimonials | On Stage Through March 9 | Goodman Theatre
Fat Ham | Cast Interview | January 11 - March 2 | Goodman Theatre
Fat Ham | Montage | On stage January 11 - March 2 | Goodman Theatre
Fat Ham | Director Tyrone Phillips | Interview | On Stage Jan. 11 - Feb. 23, 2025 | Goodman Theatre

Group Tickets: Now available for 10+, email Groups@GoodmanTheatre.org for information on select discounted rates and perks.

Questions? Need help? Contact the box office at (312) 443-3800, 12noon – 5pm, daily.

Anji White (Tedra_ looks at Truman Alston (Juicy) while he looks down.
(L-R) Anji White and Trumane Alston. Photo by Cody Nieset.
Meet the wonderful cast of Fat Ham! Photo by Hugo Hentoff.

Special Events

Pre-show programming, unique performances, and related programming.

Critical Praise

“AN IMPORTANT AMERICAN PLAY THAT WILL LAST THE TEST OF TIME.”

Chicago Tribune

“A GREAT DEAL OF FUN.”

Chicago Tribune

“ROBUSTLY ENTERTAINING.”

Chicago Sun-Times

“FUNNY, INTELLIGENT AND BOLD.”

Rolling Out

“SMART, SPIRITED, SUPERBLY ACTED.”

Daily Herald

“DIRECTOR TYRONE PHILLIPS HAS CREATED A ROLLICKING AND RAUCOUS PRODUCTION.”

Windy City Times

Audience Praise

“FABULOUS, FUN, AND FEEL GOOD.”

@lauragzimm via Instagram

“BRILLIANT AND SPECTACULARLY ENTERTAINING!!!”

Sha R. via Facebook

“HIGH ENERGY AND ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCES! WELL WORTH SEEING.”

Claudia C. B. via Facebook

“SO GOOD!!!”

@claudiaquesada1 via Instagram

ARTISTS

Person wears a yellow beanie, black rimmed glasses and maroon, rests head on fist.

James Ijames

Playwright

Tyrone Phillips

Director

Trumane Alston

Juicy

Sheldon D. Brown

Larry

Artist Placeholder Image

E. Faye Butler

Rabby

Artist Placeholder Image

Ronald L. Conner

Rev / Pap

Artist Placeholder Image

Victor Musoni

Tio

Headshot of Joseph Primes

Joseph Primes

Understudy Rev / Understudy Pap

Ireon Roach

Opal

Anji White

Tedra

Blake Hamilton Currie

Understudy Larry / Understudy Tio

Artist Placeholder Image

Marquise De’Jahn

Understudy Juicy

TayLar

Understudy Tedra / Understudy Rabby

Jazzy Rush

Understudy Opal

Artist Placeholder Image

Jos N. Banks

Costume Designer

Benjamin Barnes

Illusion Consultant

Adam Belcuore

2nd Line Producer

Headshot of Jared Bellot.

Jared Bellot

Dramaturg

Tor Campbell

Assistant Director

Gaby Labotka

Fight and Intimacy

Lauren Port

Casting

Person wears purple braided hair and yellow shirt.

Maya Vinice Prentiss

Voice and Speech Coach

Headshot of Malkia Stampley

Malkia Stampley

Line Producer

Headshot of Christian Valentino

Christian Valentino

Drag Consultant

Grecia Bahena

Stage Management Intern

Kyle Anthony Cortés

Assistant Sound Designer

Artist Placeholder Image

Patrick Fries

Production Stage Manager

Artist Placeholder Image

Lawrence Jacquan

Stage Management Apprentice

Artist Placeholder Image

Willow James

Sound Designer

Jason Lynch

Lighting Designer

Artist Placeholder Image

Arnel Sancianco

Set Designer

Artist Placeholder Image

Jojo Wallenberg

Floor Manager

Definition Theatre

Accessible & Enhanced Performances

Questions? Please contact (312) 443-3800 for voice or (312) 443-3829 for TTY/TDD, or email Access@GoodmanTheatre.org. Visit our Accessibility Overview page for full details.

American Sign Language-Interpreted Performance
Friday, January 31 at 7:30pm
Saturday, March 8 at 7:30pm

Use code SIGN for $30 tickets

Touch Tour and Audio-Described Performance
Saturday, February 1
12:30pm Touch Tour & 2:00pm Performance

Friday, February 28

Use code AUDIO for $30 tickets

Spanish Subtitles Performance
Saturday, February 1 at 7:30pm

Use code SPANISH for $30 tickets

Open-Captioned Performance
Sunday, February 2 at 2:00pm

Use code OPEN for $30 tickets

Sponsors