Nashville Rep Theatre Hosts Regional Premiere of Pulitzer-Winning "FAT HAM"

The bold, funny, and moving reimagining of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is set at a Southern backyard barbecue.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Nashville Repertory Theatre, in co-production with The Nashville Shakespeare Festival, is presenting the regional premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "FAT HAM." Directed by Nashvillian Mikael Burke, the play offers a contemporary take on Shakespeare's "Hamlet," centering on a young Black queer man named Juicy as he navigates identity, family, and generational expectations at a Southern backyard barbecue.

Why it matters

"FAT HAM" has received widespread praise for its originality, humor, and emotional resonance, blending Shakespearean themes with contemporary language, music, and cultural perspective. The production's regional premiere in Nashville is an exciting opportunity for local audiences to experience this critically acclaimed work.

The details

The play "FAT HAM" is a co-production between Nashville Repertory Theatre and The Nashville Shakespeare Festival. It presents a bold, funny, and deeply moving reimagining of Shakespeare's "Hamlet," set at a Southern backyard barbecue and centered on a young Black queer man named Juicy as he navigates identity, family, and generational expectations.

  • The regional premiere of "FAT HAM" is currently running at Nashville Repertory Theatre.
  • The production's final weekend of performances is coming up soon.

The players

Nashville Repertory Theatre

A professional regional theatre company in Nashville, Tennessee, known for producing high-quality plays and musicals.

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival

A non-profit organization dedicated to producing Shakespeare's plays and promoting the appreciation of his works in the Nashville community.

Mikael Burke

A Nashvillian who directed the regional premiere production of "FAT HAM" at Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Juicy

The young Black queer protagonist of "FAT HAM" who navigates identity, family, and generational expectations at a Southern backyard barbecue.

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What’s next

Audiences are encouraged to secure tickets now for the production's final weekend, as limited availability remains for the closing performances.

The takeaway

The regional premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "FAT HAM" at Nashville Repertory Theatre offers local audiences a unique and critically acclaimed theatrical experience that blends Shakespearean themes with contemporary perspectives and cultural relevance.