Clyde’s
By Lynn Nottage
Directed by Josiah Davis
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
February 7, 2025
Brendan Hickey, Essence Anisa Tyler, Alfredo Antillon, Ron Himes
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Clyde’s, currently onstage at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, is one of those shows that may make you hungry, with all its focus on the craft of sandwich making, including artfully staged sequences that remind me of the pie-making scenes in the musical Waitress. This show by celebrated playwright Lynn Nottage is about more than just food, though, as its characters struggle to make sense of life after prison and deal with a hard driving boss who has some lessons of her own to learn from them. This vivid, often humorous and occasionally poignant story is brought to life by a great cast and the first-rate production values for which the Rep is known.
The sandwich artist in residence at Clyde’s truck stop is Montrellous (Ron Himes), who has become something of a Chef-guru to the younger line cooks he works with. He also tries his best to introduce the crusty owner Clyde (Phyllis Yvonne Stickney) to his sandwich-inspired enlightenments, but she consistently refuses to partake, in the sandwiches as well as the wisdom they influence. The rest of the staff–all formerly incarcerated and trying to make a new life–hang on Montrellous’s words while they get on with their jobs and try to keep up with Clyde’s demands and avoid her wrath. Single mother Letitia–or “Tish–is trying to manage her work schedule while taking care of her young daughter, and Rafael (Alfredo Antillon) tries to be her friend and possibly more. Meanwhile, Jason (Brendan D. Hickey) is a newcomer to the kitchen, just having been released and facing the suspicions and assumptions of his co-workers. Slowly but surely, we hear more of their stories as the group bonds over shared experiences, a common adversary, and of course, sandwiches. Meanwhile, Montrellous maintains his smooth demeanor while doling out life lessons and encouraging his pupils to look beyond the walls of the kitchen to see what goals they can attain in life, all the while continually trying to convince the cynical Clyde that there really is something to learn from the art of sandwich making.
The pace of this show is quick and deliberate, well-measured by director Josiah Davis and carried out by an impressive cast led by local legend Himes, who is superb as the guru-like Montrellous, with a strong presence and magnetic personality, adding credibility to his influence on the character’s younger co-workers. There’s also excellent work from Tyler as the determined Tish, Antillon as the amiable, ambitious Rafael, and Hickey as the initially guarded Jason. Stickney is also superb as the cranky, demanding, and insistently cynical Clyde, who persistently resists the appeal of the sandwiches and the promise of “more to this life” that they represent. The overall rapport that develops among the cast is credible as well, and there’s a believable balance between the humor and moments of drama. The production team has also consulted with representatives from Prison Performing Arts–LaWanda Jackson and Eric Satterfield–to add to the overall credibility of the presentation.
Technically, this production is as impressive as has come to be expected at the Rep, with a thoroughly realistic set by Jean Kim that ably evokes the environment of a busy truck stop kitchen. There’s also especially impressive work from lighting designer Christina Watanabe and sound designer Michael Costagliola in achieving a convincing balance between realism and the more fantastical sandwich-making sequences. There are also excellent costumes by Hayden Zelideth that suit the characters well and add to the overall vibe of the show.
Clyde’s runs at about 100 minutes with no intermission, and there are no dull moments. It’s a piece that manages to entertain and enlighten while presenting a realistic environment with a moments of poignancy and stylized, artistic whimsy. There’s a lot to learn from sandwiches, apparently, and this show teaches its lessons well.
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Essence Anisa Tyler, Brendan Hickey, Alfredo Antillon, Ron Himes
Photo by Jon Gitchoff
Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is presenting Clyde’s until March 2, 2025