Lynn Nottage’s play Clyde’s, currently at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, Virginia, is a compelling look into the lives of those who are often unseen and undervalued: the formerly incarcerated working toward a better life. The story centers on four employees in the kitchen of a truck stop sandwich shop. Each worker is striving for a fresh start while grappling with their past decisions. The staff embarks on a quest to craft the perfect sandwich while under the oppressive oversight of their boss, Clyde. As the story progresses, their pursuit mirrors their journeys to find purpose and reinvention.
Clyde’s offers a compelling blend of humor and heart, exploring societal reintegration and challenging perceptions of identity and worth. The characters’ efforts to transcend their past mistakes through the art of sandwich-making becomes a powerful allegory for hope and transformation. The ensemble cast expertly handles the unique storylines that intersect between the grill and the kitchen sink.
Robert Freemon plays Montrellous, the philosophical chef who inspires his colleagues to find meaning beyond their circumstances. His portrayal exudes a calming coolness as his co-workers hang on his every word. He serves as patriarch and moral compass of the group. While Montrellous strives to keep things cool, the heat of the kitchen comes from the titular Clyde, portrayed by Iris DeWitt, a fireball of assertive dominance and unpredictable temper. Although we don’t learn her backstory, DeWitt’s portrayal is layered and intriguing, leaving the audience wanting to know more about Clyde’s insatiable hunger for control.
Jummy Lash brings a vibrant energy to Letitia, a single mom who will do whatever it takes to care for her daughter with special needs. Lash captures the resilience, vulnerability, and strength of her character as she continues to pursue the perfect sandwich. Oscar Salvador Jr. as Rafael is instantly endearing with his playful and earnest demeanor. Salvador demonstrates a nuanced range of emotions as a hopeless romantic, and the audience stayed fully engaged with the ups and downs of Rafael’s journey. Sha Golanski’s depiction of Jason creates an added layer of conflict to the kitchen, showing the complexities of seeking redemption in a judgmental world. He enters the workspace with several racially offensive tattoos and rejects initial opportunities to explain his choices to his new co-workers. We later learn the nature of his incarceration, as we do for all of the workers.
Director Chaz Pando plays with the rhythmic interplay of dialogue and culinary choreography and creates a sensory experience for the audience. The set design from Roger Ray Jr. is particularly noteworthy, authentically recreating the world of Clyde’s kitchen with a combination of practical pieces and stage effects. The practical sink and simulated grill are often used throughout the piece, helping the audience to stay immersed in the story.
Playwright Lynn Nottage is known for her thought-provoking story telling, and Clyde’s is one of many award-winning pieces that strike a masterful balance of comedy and poignant reflection. Workhouse Arts Center is known for its quality productions, and I recommend seeing this powerful show before it closes on April 6.
Running Time: One hour and 45 minutes, with no intermission
Clyde’s plays through April 6, 2025, presented by Workhouse Arts Center performing at the W-3 Theater located at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA. Purchase tickets ($25–$40) at the box office, online, or by calling 703-584-2900.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional at Workhouse Arts Center for visitors and staff. If you prefer to wear a mask, you are welcome to do so.
Clyde’s
By Lynne Nottage
CAST (in order of appearance)
Clyde: Iris DeWitt, Juanisha Brooks (u/s)
Montrellous: Robert Freemon, D’Angelo Rashad Woods (u/s)
Letitia: Jummy Lash, Tyra Huckaby (u/s)
Rafael: Oscar Salvador Jr., Niko Salinas (u/s)
Jason: Sha Golanski, Jack Venton (u/s)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Chaz Pando
Stage Manager: Sheila Anderson
Asst. Stage Manager: Pharene V. Kirton
Running Crew: Ziggy Reinert
Sound Operations Tech: Clare Pfeifer
Lighting Operation Tech: Brian Bachrach
Scenic Design:.Roger Ray Jr.
Props: Sheila Cephas
Costume Consultant: Remeja Murray
Makeup and Hair Design: Lexi Carter
Makeup and Hair Assistant: Caeli Schamel
Choreography/Fight/Intimacy Director: Stefan Sittig
Lighting Design: Andrew Harasty
Sound Design: Lani Boschulte
House Managers: Merissa Driscoll, Rob Cork, Priscilla Stapula
CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, SCENIC PAINT
Ben Archie, Owen Bliss, Jackie Carson, Liz Colandene, Jamie DiNorma, Jun Douglass, Merissa Driscoll, Madds Evans, Spencer Munshi, Rachael Norberg, Ziggy Reinert, Bria Rodriguez, Johnny Vo, Wesley Walker, Joseph Wallen, Evan Zimmerman