In playwright Lynn Nottage’s 2021 comedy, the ex-cons aiming for a fresh start working at Clyde’s have found themselves out of the frying pan and into the fire, more like purgatory, of a dingy truck stop sandwich joint. Their boss, who shares a criminal past and the sandwich shop’s name, strikes fear into the hearts of her crew and could perhaps best be described as evil incarnate.
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| Clyde (phyllis Yvonne Stickney) Photo credit: Jon Gitchoff |
Portrayed savagely by Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Clyde berates, harasses, and growls at her cooks with cruel disdain, and Shevaré Perry’s shocking pink wig design and Haydee Zelideth’s skin-tight costumes complement Clyde’s diabolical nature. Word on the street is, Clyde’s deep in debt to some shady underworld folks, and she seems determined to keep her cooks in thrall though their prison stints are over.
In direct contrast to Clyde is Montrellous - the resident guru, played by a placid Ron Himes, who doles out sage advice and inspires his colleagues with the challenge of envisioning the perfect sandwich. While Clyde insists the most basic ingredients are enough to satisfy her trucker clientele, Montrellous keeps the staff on their toes by nudging them towards more unique, mouth-watering creations.
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| Jason (Brendan D. Hickey), Letita (Essence Anisa Tyler), Montrellous (Ron Himes) and Rafael (Alfredo Antillon). Photo credit: Jon Gitchoff |
The other cooks include Letitia, a single mom trying to break out of a bad relationship with the father of her daughter, and is played endearingly by Essence Anisa Tyler. Her innocence stills lurks under a tough exterior. Rafael, who has a thing for Letitia, is played with energetic swagger by Rafael Alfredo Antillon, and Brendan D. Hickey is Jason, the prickly new member of staff fresh out of prison, complete with white supremacist tattoos and a mind to leave his past behind. Despite starting as an outsider, he softens and satisfyingly gets integrated into the group before too long.
Jean Kim’s detailed scenic design is spot on, with a big loudspeaker resting above kitchen prep stations, cold storage freezers and broken floor tiles, while lighting and sound design by Christina Watanabe and Michael Costagliola sprinkle elements of the surreal through the galley.
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| Photo credit: Jon Gitchoff |
There’s no real plot here to speak of. Instead, Clyde’s presents more of a character study and examines the challenges of adjusting to life after imprisonment, but the bigger-than-life performances that director Josiah Davis opts for from his talented cast seemed a little overcooked. Whether it’s garnishing sandwiches with broad exaggerated movements or pacing those first scenes at a full tilt sitcom clip, I was initially kept at arm’s length. But when stories were shared of what landed them inside and the armor necessary to survive inside was slowly cast off, I was grateful to be pulled back into the story’s heart, though the tonal shifts often caught me off guard.
There's more going on at Clyde's than just slinging sandwiches, and more of a story surrounding Clyde, but despite her attempts to keep the staff demoralized and under her thumb, they all eventually find their way. And just to note, there’s a prolific amount of profanity here, so maybe leave the kids at home for this one. It’s playing at the Rep until March 2nd.
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| Cast of Clyde's Photo credit: Jon Gitchoff |
CLYDE’S
Written by Lynn Nottage
Directed by Josiah Davis
Loretto-Hilton Center, 130 Edgar Road
through March 2 | tickets: $40 - $95, plus fees
Cast
Clyde: Phyllis Yvonne Stickney*
Montrellous: Ron Himes*
Letitia: Essence Anisa Tyler*
Rafael: Alfredo Antillon*
Jason: Brendan D. Hickey*
Creative
Scenic Designer: Jean Kim*
Costume Designer: Haydee Zelideth*
Lighting Designer: Christina Watanabe*
Sound Designer: Michael Costagliola*
Wig Designer: Shevaré Perry
Intimacy Consultant: Delaney Piggins
Casting Director: Becks Redman
Artist Consultants: LaWanda Jackson, Eric Satterfield
Production Stage Manager: Emilee Buchheit*
* Denotes member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of
Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
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