Featured photo courtesy of Chuk Nowak

This week on American Black Journal: 

Pulitzer Prize-winning play ‘Fat Ham’ opens Detroit Public Theatre’s 10th anniversary season

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Fat Ham” has launched the 10th anniversary season at Detroit Public Theatre, offering a fresh take on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” through a modern lens. Set against the backdrop of a family cookout, “Fat Ham” intertwines themes of love, loss, and the search for identity in the face of societal pressures. It runs through Nov. 3. 

The play, written by James Ijames, centers on Juicy, a Black queer man navigating the complexities of family and identity as he is confronted by the ghost of his father who demands vengeance for his murder. Juicy is played by native Detroiter Duane Shabazz. The cast also includes X’ydee Alexander as Opal, Charles Curtis as Tio, Niki Rochelle as Tedra, Erik Hernandez as Larry, Roosevelt Johnson as Pap/Rev, and Janai Lashon as Rabby. 

Host Stephen Henderson talks with Shabazz, who reflects on his journey to an acting career and shares insights into how his background and personal experiences shaped his approach to the role. Detroit Public Theatre Marketing Manager Garlia Jones also joins the discussion, emphasizing the significance of opening the season with this groundbreaking play. They both talk about what it means to them to bring “Fat Ham” to Detroit.

Actor Roger Guenveur Smith visits The Wright Museum, discusses his collaborations with Spike Lee

Award-winning actor, writer, and director Roger Guenveur Smith was in Detroit recently for three solo performances at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History’s newly renovated theater. Smith’s one-man shows are kicking off the premiere of “The Wright Performances,” a curated collection of events featuring dynamic performers chosen by The Charles H. Wright Museum’s President & CEO Neil Barclay. 

Best known for his collaborations with Spike Lee and roles in movies like “Do The Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” and ” American Gangster,” Smith joined American Black Journal contributor Cecelia Sharpe of 90.9 WRCJ to talk about his one-man plays: “Frederick Douglass Now,” “Otto Frank,” and “In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat” at The Wright.

American Black Journal contributor Cecelia Sharpe sat down with Smith at The Wright Museum. They talk about Smith’s one-man plays, the major role literacy played in his life as a child growing up, and his collaborations with filmmaker Spike Lee, including his role in the movie “Do the Right Thing.”