News Summary
The Tallahassee theater scene is alive with creativity as three innovative productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet take center stage this season. Florida A&M University’s Essential Theatre will premiere Fat Ham, a modern recontextualization set during a Southern cookout, while the Southern Shakespeare Company offers a condensed version of Hamlet. Additionally, Theatre Tallahassee presents I Hate Hamlet, exploring artistic doubt through a comedic lens. These productions highlight ongoing discussions of identity, legacy, and morality, enriching the community’s engagement with the arts.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The Tallahassee theater scene is experiencing a remarkable surge in creativity, featuring three innovative productions of Shakespeare’s Hamlet this season. Each production offers a distinct interpretation of the classic play, emphasizing its timeless relevance and adaptability in contemporary contexts.
Florida A&M University’s Essential Theatre is set to premiere Fat Ham, a recontextualization of Hamlet that unfolds during a Southern backyard cookout, from October 22 to 26. Directed by Luther Wells, the play centers on a Black family grappling with themes of legacy, love, and liberation. Through the lens of comedy and a modern queer narrative, Fat Ham follows the protagonist, Juicy, as he contemplates whether the act of refusing revenge can itself be considered revolutionary.
In addition to Fat Ham, the Southern Shakespeare Company will stage a condensed version of Hamlet on November 12 at Goodwood Museum and Gardens. This production features a cast of just five actors, performing a 55-minute rendition that aims to enhance the audience’s intimate connection with the play while remaining faithful to the original text. Following the performance, there will be a talkback session for audience members to engage with the cast and creative team, further enriching the experience.
The third production, I Hate Hamlet, will be presented by Theatre Tallahassee starting May 28, 2026. This comedy, directed by Ashley Campbell, explores themes of artistic doubt through the eyes of a television actor haunted by the ghost of legendary actor John Barrymore. Campbell describes I Hate Hamlet as a bridge between Shakespearean drama and contemporary theater, offering a unique perspective on the enduring influence of Shakespeare’s work.
Ticket Information
For those interested in attending these productions, ticket prices for Fat Ham range from $8 to $25, with performances scheduled over several days at the Charles Winter Wood Theater at FAMU. The Southern Shakespeare Company’s production will have tickets priced between $15 and $25. Meanwhile, tickets for I Hate Hamlet can be purchased through Theatre Tallahassee by early May 2026.
Thematic Connections
The collective theme of this season, dubbed Tallahassee’s “Year of Hamlet,” underscores ongoing discussions related to fate, family, and the search for moral righteousness. Each production showcases how different interpretations of the same source material can address critical questions of identity and legacy, demonstrating both the flexibility and ongoing relevance of Shakespeare’s work today.
Overall, the presented productions reflect a vibrant cultural landscape in Tallahassee, offering audiences diverse and thought-provoking experiences of a literary classic. Through these performances, local theater companies are not only honoring Shakespeare’s legacy but are also enriching the community’s engagement with the arts.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Sean Penn Comments on Political Violence After Charlie Kirk’s Death
Sean Penn Addresses Political Violence Following Kirk’s Death
Tallahassee Hosts a Weekend of Festivals: Film, Food, and Music
Tallahassee Winds Community Symphonic Band Launches Concert Season
Community Events in Tallahassee This Weekend
California Bans Masking for Federal Immigration Agents
Florida State University to Establish New Film School Facility
Trump Administration Launches Immigration Crackdown ‘Patriot 2.0’
Florida Launches Art and Essay Contests for Hispanic Heritage Month
Tallahassee’s Songwriters Unite for Local Nonprofits
Additional Resources
- Tallahassee: Three Hamlet Productions
- Wikipedia: Hamlet
- Florida Politics: Takeaways from Tallahassee Summer
- Google Search: Hamlet Shakespeare
- Tallahassee: 100 Women Donate to Southern Shakespeare
- Google Scholar: Shakespeare Productions
- Tallahassee: Southern Shakespeare Festival Move
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hamlet (Play by Shakespeare)
- Legacy: Sabrina Sanchez Obituary
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
