'Fat Ham' Brings Meaty Masculinity to Broadway

"Fat Ham," a modern rewrite of "Hamlet" set in a cookout in the American South, has transferred to Broadway from the Public Theater. While the play starts off strong, it loses its momentum and intimacy in the larger venue. The characters are used to express big ideas, but they end up feeling small in comparison. The wish fulfillment comes too quickly, and the play dissolves without allowing the audience to fully understand the characters.