Fat Ham: Boston-The Huntington Theatre

“ A scene-stealing Lau'rie Roach as Tio, a Horatio-like figure.”

- Boston Globe

“ The first words onstage are spoken by Juicy's cousin "Tio" (Horatio-like) played by the hilarious Lau'rie Roach and immediately we know we're in for a good time. His every line is a party. By the climax of the shot, Tio will share details of the wet dream he had which leads him to ruminate aloud on the meaning of life rooted in the sheer joy of simply doing what makes you happy. I was laughing as I reclaimed my jaw off the floor.”

- Joyceschoices.com

“ Additionally, actors Lau'rie Roach (Tio, the counterpart to Shakespeare's Horatio), Victoria Omoregie (Opal, the Ophelia counterpart), and Amar Atkins (Larry, the Laertes counterpart) deliver standout performances as Juicy's cousins. Roach comically embodies Tio's carefree silliness, Omoregie is convincingly bold and self-assured, and Atkins brings both strength and sensitivity to his character. All three of them thrive from their expert comedic timing and well-developed, character-specific physicality. While Juicy is clearly the focus of the play, his cousins add essential depth, nuance, and playfulness that give Juicy the room to grow and "Fat Ham" a fun spirit.”

- The Harvard Crimson

“ Fat Ham is sharp, hilarious, current, and hooks you from the beginning. Tio, Juicy's stoner-philosopher friend inspired by Hamlet's pal Horatio, gave a knock-out performance.”

- Boston.com

“However, the story isn't all doom and gloom. Tio (Lau'rie Roach), Juicy's stoner cousin and Ijames' version of Shakespeare's Horatio, acts as a wonderful comic foil, particularly in one absurd monologue where he describes a sexual encounter with a gingerbread man in a virtual reality game.”

- The Tufts Daily

“ The only character with any hope of a positive outcome is Horatio. Lau'rie Roach as Tio has golden comedic timing. He's a bright ray of sunshine on Fat Ham's stormy day.”

- The New England Theatre Geek

“ The play opens in Juicy's backyard as Tio/Horatio (the stand-out, gifted Lau'rie Roach), his best friend and greatest advocate, tries to get his buddy to address and snap out of his melancholy.”

- theatremirror.net

“ It's inherited trauma," says Tio, our stand-in for "Hamlet's" Horatio, the outside observer, who balances Juicy's empathetic nature with a more pragmatic approach to life. Tio in fact, becomes the conscience of this play, stepping in and out of the action at precisely the right moments. Roach is a wonder to behold, his rubbery body and wide range of reactions informing his moves for a potential career in porn videos or reacting to the family meltdown while munching on a huge bowl of food.”

- wbur.org