Wakey! Wakey! Lynn Nottage strikes again with an original play, ‘Clydeโs,’ now running atย Helen Hayes Theater (2nd Stage,) through January 16, 2022.
Clyde, played by Emmy-Winner Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black) is a sassy sandwich shop-owner who hires ex-cons to work in her establishment.ย
The play begins and Clyde is stretched across a counter in her namesake truck stop. Itโs clear that sheโs got the power and is not afraid to use it.ย
Described as devilishโto meโClyde is a reflection of society, as cold and cruel as it may be. Simply put, these ex-cons are here because theyโve got no other options as they battle with the confinements of their post incarceration โfreedom.โย
In comparison, Montrellous (Emmy-Winner Ron Cephas Jones, This is Us) is an angel, while Clyde is a devil. And โthe ingredients are at war,โ as the actors master the art of sandwich artistry (and actually), chopping while acting!ย
Takeshi Kataโs set is an industrial kitchen with Christopher Akerlind using intense lights and music patterns (Justin Ellington) during transitions. Jennifer Moellerโs costumes, (especially Clydeโs outrageous, form-fitting ensembles) help define the show while each member of the sandwich crew has their own distinct and undeniably hilarious delivery, directed by Kate Whoriskey.
Madeline Leach
Letitia played by Kara Young is a single mother who ended up behind bars for robbing a pharmacy. Through her borderline slapstick comedy, Young commands the stage, vibrant like the hot pink cornrows cascading down her back. Sheโs somewhat a veteran of the shop along with Rafael (Reza Salazar). At times itโs hard to imagine the fierce fun-loving Rafael robbing a bank with a BB gun, but Salazarโs moments are believable, even during his overly dramatic love spells.
When a new hire Jason (Edmund Donovan) unintentionally shakes up the place, we see the deep desire for change among the ex-cons, and by the time Jason breaks down, we have a bit of compassion for him despite his flaws. He just wants to be alone, at peace, doing his job until getting to the next place. But that might be impossible for any of the staff members under Clydeโs abusive and toxic management.ย
At last, Montrellous the saint uncovers the metaphor through his various retweet-able one-liners. โLet whatever youโre feeling be a part of your process and not an impediment,โ he says, presenting coping strategies for the others to fold into the possibilities as a way to escape and master reality. He urges the hopefuls to find one ingredient that defies expectations.ย
Itโs more than just making sandwiches, itโs about putting the recipe of life together, and finding the answer to the question: Does the perfect sandwich exist? My best guess is โno,โ with an open-ended denouement, though far from a resolution per se.ย
Thereโs no perfect sandwich, but in life, as well as at Clydeโs, mindfulness and radical acceptance are each the slices of bread with a jalapeรฑo aioli spread, Swiss chard, a sprinkle of salt, and a layer of questionable Chilean sea bass.ย
For tickets, click here.ย