“Respect the Recipe” – Clyde’s

Feb 12, 2023 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Sue Weston and Susan Rosenbluth & Chef David –  Two Sues On The Aisle

Set in a truck stop diner, Clyde’s is a show about new beginnings and the healing power of food. A comedic drama, written by Lynn Nottage, the first woman to win two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama. The play brings together an unlikely kitchen crew with two things in common: all were formerly incarcerated and share the dream of creating the perfect sandwich, which can be seen as a metaphor for life.

Clyde’s will be at the George Street Playhouse until February 19.

The Storyline

We were surprised by how quickly the 90-minute performance (without intermission) flew by. Set in Clyde’s kitchen, with a swinging door and pass-through window which Clyde (Darlene Hope), the restaurant owner and manager uses to pass orders and insults to her staff. A former felon herself, Clyde offers employment to released felons when no one else will, describing herself as their only hope, but it comes at a price. Clyde, a dominatrix, struggling to pay off her gambling debt, gets pleasure from making the staff uncomfortable, berating, and allegedly beating them.

Nottage’s phenomenal character development, adds spice, conflict, and an unusual twist. They are all damaged, having made mistakes that landed them in prison. Now they are physically free but need to heal and make a start fresh. Clyde may be an abusive boss, but her employees are not angels.

Rafael (Xavier Reyes) is a huggable romantic with a drug problem who held up a bank with a BB gun because he wanted to buy his girlfriend a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Letitia (Sydney Cusic) robbed a pharmacy to get seizure medication for her baby, then stole some oxy and addy to sell on the side. Jason (Ryan Czerwonko) was charged with aggravated assault. His face is covered with white supremacist tattoos, a decision he regrets.

Montrellous (Gabriel Lawrence) is an enigma, a sage, who has a calming effect on the group. He is focused on making the perfect sandwich. In a mystical way, his creations provide a sense of purpose. Each sandwich includes an unexpected ingredient, a sign of creativity and individuality.

According to Letitia, “Montrellous is a sensei. Drops garlic aioli like a realness bomb. He knows what we only wish to know.” The secret to making the perfect sandwich goes beyond the ingredients, it requires focus, touch, and a connection to the person who will be eating it. Montrellous grows his own herbs and bakes his own bread with a devotion that makes each sandwich extraordinary. He encourages the others to make their perfect sandwich and embrace their individuality. They entertain themselves by naming the ingredients for their imaginary perfect sandwich like “peanut butter and grape jelly with cinnamon and nutmeg.”

Going Deep

There are so many ways to interpret the ‘sandwich’ and Nottage leaves that up to each individual viewer. As the characters share their story, they create a bond and become able to forgive themselves. Clyde never shares her story, and remains aloof, repeatedly refusing to taste Montrellous’ perfect sandwiches.

Along with the audience, we chuckled at many of the sandwich combinations, and one-liners like when Rafael complains about cooking rotten fish, Clyde says “You think Colonel Sanders didn’t fry up a couple of rats to make ends meet?” The writing is exceptional, and the actors’ timing was spot-on and perfect.  In a lighthearted way, Nottage explores deep topics including drug use, homelessness, overcoming bias, and developing self-worth.

Clyde’s kitchen crew of misfits rises above adversity with the support of each other. They learn to go beyond the hurtful comments, like when Clyde mocks “Don’t disappoint me by having aspirations” by recognizing that they have the power to change and become something. They unite and develop the strength to uphold “the integrity of the sandwich.” When Letitia reminds them to “respect the recipe”, she could be speaking about knowing right from wrong, or supporting each other, and they listen.

Clyde’s is a powerful show about resilience, regret, and re-invention.

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Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) in order to see the play, show, film, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Clyde’s received a 4 Challah Rating