FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Island City Stage, Brévo Theatre and GableStage’s collaborative production of Fat Ham sizzles with a sold-out opening weekend! Audiences are eating up tickets for this smokin’ hot, imaginative and witty reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet that tackles identity, belonging and generational issues. Fat Ham runs through May 4 at Island City Stage in Wilton Manors and moves to GableStage in Coral Gables from May 16 – June 15, 2025. This first-time historic partnership among three of South Florida’s leading theatre companies was made possible by a generous $250,000 grant from The Warten Foundation.
“Oh, my goodness, I had such a good time at the first preview of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Fat Ham at Island City Stage in conjunction with Brévo Theatre!” – Latrice Royale
“Fat Ham at Island City Stage is serving up Shakespeare with a side of BBQ, glitter and pure queer brilliance – and it is DELICIOUS. If you’ve ever thought, “What if Hamlet was funny, Black, Southern, and unapologetically gay?” Well, this is your moment. DO NOT miss it.” – Chris Caputo
“Soaking up more culture tonight – Island City Stage, GableStage, and Brévo Theatre’s production of Fat Ham was absolutely amazing. You have to treat yourself to a fantastic production. I thoroughly enjoyed the play, a must see.” – Lorenzo Robertson
“This collaboration represents the best of what South Florida’s theatre community can achieve when we come together,” said Martin Childers, managing director of Island City Stage. “With Fat Ham, we have an extraordinary opportunity to engage diverse audiences, push artistic boundaries and create an experience that will resonate deeply with our communities.”
Cassidy Joseph (Opal), Henry Cadet (Juicy), Mikhael Mendoza (Tio) and Toddra Brunson (Rabby)
Fat Ham transforms Shakespeare’s Hamlet into an over-the-top tale set in a North Carolina BBQ pit. With a twist, the Danish castle becomes a Southern backyard barbecue, and Juicy, a Black, gay southern kid, navigates familial legacies and a ghostly demand for vengeance. The clash of generations unfolds in this award-winning adaptation, exploring the complexities of identity and violence. Fat Ham stars Toddra Brunson (Rabby), Henry Cadet (Juicy), Melvin Huffnagle (Rev/Papa), Cassidy Joseph (Opal), Denzel McCausland (Larry), Mikhael Mendoza (Tio) and April Nixon (Tedra).
T.M. Pride, producing artistic director for Brévo Theatre and director of this Fat Ham effort, shared, “This production is a testament to the power of reimagining stories through fresh cultural lenses. Fat Ham brings a dynamic and relevant perspective to a classic work, making it accessible and resonant for today’s audiences. Fat Ham is an opportunity to celebrate Black culture within a powerful storytelling, yet classical framework. It’s an honor to direct James Ijames’ reimagining of this classic tale and bring it to the vibrant communities throughout South Florida.”
“By collaborating on Fat Ham, we’re not only expanding the reach of this incredible work but also creating an opportunity for audiences to experience a Shakespearean adaptation that feels deeply modern and relevant,” said Rosalyn Stuzin, GableStage board president. “This is the kind of production that sparks conversation long after the curtain falls. It’s particularly exciting for us to connect this contemporary adaptation of Hamlet with our ongoing Shakespeare in Schools program, allowing the Miami-Dade County community to experience both the classic and its modern reimagining.”
As part of this unique presentation, the theatre companies will offer a series of fun cookouts and community conversations to engage audiences. “Who’s Invited to the Cookout?” will take place on April 19 at Island City Stage; “Ham It Up” with catering by Sunni Speaks will take place on April 20 and May 4 at Island City Stage and on June 15 at GableStage; “Who Made the Potato Salad?” will take place on April 27 at Island City Stage and on May 25 at GableStage and “Mosaic Miami Presents: Can We Talk? A Ham-plified Conversation” will take place on May 23 at GableStage.
“The Warten Foundation is pleased to fund this historic collaboration that offers a rare opportunity for three highly lauded theater groups to authentically address their respective missions and use the unique powers of live theater to continue the discussion regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion within the context of a brilliant and funny theatrical production,” said Clifford J. Cideko, chairman of the Warten Foundation.
Henry Cadet (Juicy), Mikhael Mendoza (Tio) and April Nixon (Tedra)
Fat Ham is presented by an arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. The play runs for one hour and 35 minutes with no intermission.
Individual show tickets at Island City Stage start at $43. A Mimosa Sunday reception sponsored by Misty Daniels will take place on April 13 with tickets at $60. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.islandcitystage.org, call (954) 928-9800 or email boxoffice@islandcitystage.org.
Individual show tickets at GableStage start at $40. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit gablestage.org or call (305) 445-1119.
About Island City Stage
Founded in 2012, Island City Stage is a professional theater committed to sharing stories of universal interest, engaging diverse audiences with entertaining, challenging, and inspiring productions and programs, often exploring the LGBTQ+ culture. These shows are brought to life on stage through the talents of professional artists whose credits include Broadway, Off Broadway, national tours, major regional theaters, film and television. Island City Stage offers an intimate setting with six rows of stadium seating to foster a feeling of inclusion and participation in each theatrical event. Island City Stage is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is located at 2304 N. Dixie Hwy in Wilton Manors. For tickets and more information, please call (954) 928-9800 or visit islandcitystage.org. Follow Island City Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/IslandCityStageFL and on Instagram at @islandcitystage1.
About Brévo Theatre
Brévo Theatre is committed to amplifying the voices of young Black artists and providing a platform to the unheard by highlighting up-and-coming playwrights, actors, dancers and directors, by offering a diverse entertainment experience through color-blind casting. Created by managing director Zaylin Yates and his business partner Terrence Pride during their time as students at Florida A&M University, its mission is to cultivate an artistically conscious community through innovative and accessible performances that celebrate humanity and the power of storytelling. Brévo Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit brevotheatre.org.
About GableStage
Founded in 1979 as Florida Shakespeare Theatre, GableStage is one of the longest-running and most highly acclaimed theater companies in South Florida. Since 1998, it has been producing quality theatrical productions that encompass themes and ideas relevant to the multicultural South Florida community at Coral Gables’ historic Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastasia Avenue in Coral Gables). GableStage is the recipient of 72 Carbonell Awards, a prestigious South Florida theatre award, with over 200 nominations and received the Ruth Forman Award for major advancements in the South Florida theatre scene. For more information, visit gablestage.org.
About the Warten Foundation
The Warten Foundation is the legacy of the late Fredrick Warten and supports organizations and projects that expands social justice for all Americans, provides strength, safety and equal protection and opportunity for LGBTQ+ individuals, and champions excellence in the arts and education.
