FAT HAM
The 2022 Pulitzer Prize Winner and Five-time Tony-Nominated Dramatic Comedy by James Ijames
In this delectably comic, Pulitzer Prize-winning reinvention of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, an uproarious family barbecue instigates a compelling examination of love and loss, pain and joy. FAT HAM is about a Black, queer discovery of self, softness, and resilience. Your typical Southern family cookout just got anything but. Juicy gets a visit from his father’s ghost seeking revenge for his death by his brother – now married to his mother! Sound familiar? This Pulitzer Prize winner is as profound as it is funny. Pass the napkins because things are about to get messy…
2022 Pulitzer Prize for Drama
2023 Nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play
2023 Nominated for Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Play)
2023 Nominated for Drama League Award (Outstanding Production of a Play)
2023 Outer Critics Circle Award
Running time: 90 minutes
There will be no intermission.
New! All evening shows start at 7:00 PM!
For all that Ijames dismantles in Shakespeare’s original text, he builds it back up into something that’s more tragic but also more joyous, more comedic, more political, more contemporary.
...a vicious critique of masculinity and violence infused with a much-needed hilarity. Ijames crafts a tender story on being queer, Black and “soft” in the American south.
Jan 17 2025 - Jan 26 2025
Show TimesFridays: 7:00 PM
Saturdays: 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM
Sundays: 2:00 PM | 7:00 PM
Pearl McManus Theater
at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club
314 S Cahuilla Road
Downtown Palm Springs, CA 92262
Ticket Info
Prices
$62 (+$4 fee)
Opening Night with Post Show
Reception catered by Lulu California Bistro
$53 (+$4 fee)
Matinee/Evening
TICKETS
Individual tickets will be available to the public beginning September 13.
The Cast
Devere Rogers (Juicy)
Devere is excited to be making his Dezart Performs debut. On Broadway he appeared in CHICKEN & BISCUITS (Circle in the Square). Off Broadway, he appeared in THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM (Roundabout). Select NY Theater Credits: FOR FLOW, DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION, BONFIRE NIGHTS, LOVE LABOUR’S LOST. Select Regional Credits: UP HERE (La Jolla), STREET LIGHTS (Old Globe), THE WIZ (True Colors), GLORIA (Echo Theater), MY WHITE HUSBAND (Moving Arts). Select Film/TV Credits: WILL & GRACE, CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, GREY’S ANATOMY, FOR FLOW, MY SPY, SHERMAN’S SHOWCASE, SOUTHSIDE, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, FRIENDS-IN-LAW, PUPPY PLACE, OK BOOMER, HONK FOR JESUS, JUMP START, MY SPY: ETERNAL CITY.
Tamiyka White (Rabby)
Tamiyka is an actor, director, writer, poet, stand-up comic and theatre producer. Recent performances include a digital performance of Salt Lake Acting Company’s ALABASTER and WHEN STARS ALIGN at The Odyssey Theatre. Television credits include RAP SH!T on Max, YOUR HONOR on Showtime and IMMORTAL CITY RECORDS on Tubi. She can be seen in Mindy Kaling’s upcoming series RUNNING POINT on Netflix and in a Coldplay music video. She has also directed several theatre productions and stage readings. Last year she directed her first short film, EXPECTED UNEXPECTED which was recently accepted into the Micheaux Film Festival. She has performed at The Comedy Store, Hollywood’s Improv and The Icehouse in Pasadena. Tamiyka founded BLACK GIRL MAGIC Creative Series in late January 2017. She is a member of both Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA).
Michael Houston (Larry)
Michael is an award-winning actor, comedian and writer from Brooklyn, New York. He honed his craft at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles, where his career quickly gained momentum, landing roles in films, commercials and plays. Michael is a member of Los Angeles theater groups BEER & BEDTIME STORIES and A TRIBE CALLED MELANIN. His theater credits include performances with the SF Bay Area Theatre Company, Custom Made Theatre and Exit Theatre Co., all in San Francisco. In 2022, he wrote, directed, and starred in his one-man show, BACON EGG AND CHEESE ON A CALIFORNIA BAGEL at The Complex Theater in L.A. On the comedy circuit, Michael earned top honors by winning both The Comedy Chateau’s “4C Competition” and the Moth StorySlam Competition. Film credits include GUMBO for ALLBLK, WHEELS OF BEAUTY for Lifetime, and the independent film CROSSROADS, where his performance earned him “Best Actor” at the NXT UP Film Festival in San Francisco. Michael is immensely grateful to the production team and cast for this remarkable opportunity. He extends heartfelt thanks to his family, friends, and representatives for their unwavering support.
Candace Nicholas-Lippman (Tedra)
Candace is an actress and spoken word poet with a passion for using her God-given talents to uplift others. She was last seen reprising her lead role as Janelle in season two of Starz’ Emmy Award Winning musical-drama series, BLINDSPOTTING. Her most notable poem, DEAR BLACK GIRL, premiered on ABC’s TV series GOOD TROUBLE and was last seen Center Stage at the Essence Festival in New Orleans where she released her first poetry album PARTS OF ME! Her new album A POET’S CRY released this year and is now available on all streaming platforms. After a four year hiatus, Candace’s solo show, as seen Off Broadway, A ROSE CALLED CANDACE made its return to LA this past June and she looks forward to adding more dates for the show in hopes of continuing to share her story. Candace is so excited to make her Palm Springs debut in FAT HAM and is grateful for another opportunity to do what she loves… make meaningful art.
Maci Alexis (Opal)
Maci hailing from Houston, Texas, embodies southern hospitality, bringing warmth and positivity to every space she enters. At UCLA, she has distinguished herself with roles such as Jasmine in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play FAIRVIEW during its first Los Angeles run. Maci’s diverse acting repertoire spans leading roles in stage productions like THE WRITE CHOICE to captivating performances in short films such as IN OTHER WORDS and OROWA. Her commitment to intersectionality in the creative realm is evident as she draws from her experiences as a queer woman of color. Her work as a program manager for Support Black Theatre highlights her dedication to uplifting Black and intersectional narratives in the arts. In her downtime, Maci explores intimacy direction, burlesque, poetry and screenwriting, blending artistry with inclusivity. She is honored to have received the Natalie Wood Acting Award and Rebecca Schaeffer Memorial Scholarship in Acting at UCLA.
