In partnership with Brévo Theatre and Island City Stage with the generous support of the Warten Foundation
A South Florida Premiere
May 16 – June 15, 2025
a Shakespearean-sized, Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy
Made Possible By
Warten Foundation
Gene Sulzberger
“Fat Ham” is presented by arrangement with
Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com.
Non-profit Production Partner:
Historic Hampton House
The Historic Hampton House is the only Green Book museum in the world dedicated to sharing this unique experience of the segregated era. The restoration and vision are clear and intentional. Our mission is to improve perspectives in race, gender, socio-economic and religious discrimination in America and throughout the world.
Hamlet, but with more barbeque and disco. Swapping a Danish castle for a North Carolina BBQ pit, Fat Ham remakes Shakespeare’s story of murder and revenge into something hilarious and profound. Juicy, a Black queer Southern kid, has a lot on his plate already when his father’s ghost shows up, demanding vengeance. As generations clash at the family’s backyard barbeque, Juicy must face the legacies of violence he’s been raised with and shape the man he wants to be. Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize.
“Hilarious yet profound…” – The New York Times
“Vibrates with dynamic energy” – Bill Hirschman, Florida Theatre On Stage
“GableStage’s ‘Fat Ham’ is a juicy regional collaboration”
– Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald & Art Burst Miami
“This was a brilliant play. The set was cleverly crafted and the story is SO TIMELY!
The acting is Broadway Quality. I cried and I laughed out loud several times.”
– Review on Tripadvisor
“DO NOT MISS FAT HAM…..you will be thoroughly entertained without a pause.
Each actor is so well prepared and performed their roles to perfection.
It will keep you laughing, thinking and give you more insights into life.
Thoroughly entertaining….I wanted more.”
– Review on Tripadvisor
Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes (no intermission)
Please be advised that the performance contains Mature Language and Themes
Toddra Brunson (Rabby) is a seasoned actor with over 12 years of experience in theater and film. She has a rare talent of taking on a wide range of roles from a Villager in Black Nativity to Samuel Langley from Kitty Hawk, The Washing Machine from Caroline or Change at Actors Playhouse and Girls of Summer as Martha Faye; Once On This Island as Mama Euralie; Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray; The Radio in Caroline, or Change; and the principal role as Aida — exhibiting her vocal range in musical theater — to the powerful warrior Kunto in Dahomey Warriors. She’d go on to play her most recent role in City Theater’s Production of Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds‘ as Cedella Marley. Toddra also fully explored her part in Milma’s Tale as an understudy with Zoetic Theater. Toddra’s character as the Director in the debut musical Carbonell Nominee for One More Yesterday with The Foundry Theater and Summer Shorts Homegrown Edition can be added to her many current projects. Toddra’s talents go well beyond stage; she is also featured in a Film Web series To Each His Own for 3 Seasons. Web Series: Single, Taken,Other, & Short Film: Black and Blue.
Photo Credits: Visualz by Hue
Henry Cadet (Juicy) is a Haïtian actor and recent graduate from the University of Florida’s (NWSA) where he received a bachelors degree and was so honored to perform in roles such as Larry from Company, Akosua from Oskuneru, and Mr Bennet from Pride & Prejudice. Henry is a classically trained non-equity actor currently based in South Florida. Henry was last seen in the Florida Children’s theater’s show Why Mosquitoes Buzz. Also in Fantasy Theater Factory’s Heroes in my house. A magical journey through black history, The three messketeers, Abre Camino’s Stephen’s deli. Maroon isle’s Oskuneru. You can connect with Henry on Instagram: @henry_cadet Or through his website: henrycadet.com
Photo Credits: Morgan Sophia
Melvin Huffnagle (REV/PAP) is happy to return to GableStage where he was last seen as Shawn in King James and as August Wilson in last season’s How I Learned What I Learned. Mr.Huffnagle currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Acting in FIU’s Theatre Department and is also a member of The National Michael Chekhov Association (NMCA). He has worked professionally as an Actor in NYC for over twenty years. Mr.Huffnagle is a ten-year member of The Layon Gray American Theatre in NYC where he originated numerous roles in the company’s many Off-Broadway productions; Cowboy (Gus), The Kings of Harlem Coach (Ben Coffey III), and Searching for Willie Lynch (Harlen Davis). Mr. Huffnagle also appeared as Jerimaih Jones in the company’s long-running and award-winning Black Angels Over Tuskegee. Melvin also appeared as Memphis in The M Ensemble’s production of Two Trains Running. Film and Television Credits include Striped Search, directed by Sidney Lumet, Law and Order SVU, Law and Order Cl “Royal Pains”, The Family Business, and the Award-winning short film Brooklyn In July. Melvin is a member of SAG and Actors Equity.
Photo Credits: David Genik
Cassidy Joseph (Opal) is so grateful to be involved in this production of Fat Ham! As a South Florida native, Cassidy is pleased to be doing what she loves amongst familiar faces and kindred spirits. You might have seen Cassidy as “Emmie” in Caroline or Change with Actors’ Playhouse but if not, her most recent roles also include Lula from Violet, Joanne from Rent, and Camille from DreamCatcher. Cassidy sends endless thanks to her family and friends for their continuous love and support to her and in her craft.
Dina Lewis (Tedra) is an actress, teacher and story teller from Miami. She is so excited to make her debut performance with GableStage in this incredible piece! She was last seen in M Ensemble’s Knock me a Kiss, and Abre Camino’s Stephen’s Deli and Mainstreet Players Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson in #2B. Dina studied Theatre and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Florida, British American Drama Academy (Midsummer in Oxford), Harvard A.R.T. (Stainslavski Summer School). Dina would like to thank God because without Him none of these wild dreams of hers can come to fruition. To follow her socially you can catch her at @divadina514. Mom, this one’s for you!
Headshot photographer: Matthew Murphy
Denzel McCausland (Larry) is an actor born and raised in Miami. He is a Florida Atlantic University graduate with his bachelors in Theatre. His most recent credits include his portrayal of Happiness in The Roxy Regional Theatre’s production of Thoughts of a Colored Man, Edwin in Cry Old Kingdom produced by the New City Players, Shepard Mallory from Boca Stage’s production of Ben Butler, Bass in the production of Merchants of Venice performed at the Victory Black Box Theatre, Lincoln in the Main Street Players production of Topdog/ Underdog and as M in the New City Players production of Lungs. Denzel is honored to be able to work with each of these incredible theatres and each person involved with this production.
Photo Credits: Ashleen Senexant
Mikhael Mendoza (Tio) is extremely excited to be working with Brevo Theater, Island City Stage and GableStage Theatre Company. Throughout his professional career, Mikhael has been fortunate enough to work with Loxen Productions as the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors, with Fantasy Theater Factory in many shows including Little Monster Tales (Various Characters), The Three Messketeers (King Compost/The Dirty Duke), and Heroes in My House (Various Characters) to name a few, and Maroon Isle Productions’ Jealousy (Victor) and Don Juan; Pride and Paradise (Don Juan). Mikhael would like to thank those close to him for always encouraging and believing in him. Without their continued love and support he wouldn’t be the actor he is today.
Photo Credits: Mikhael Mendoza
Thank You to Our Season Sponsors
Knight Foundation, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami- Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, The Biltmore Hotel, The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation- Crearte, The Shubert Foundation Inc., City of Coral Gables, and Grove Bank & Trust