Clyde's Reviews
Broadway World- Highly Recommended
"...Quite possibly, a perfect production. Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage's Tony Award-nominated CLYDE'S at the Mark Taper Forum is heartfelt, funny, and seriously delicious."
Stage and Cinema- Somewhat Recommended
"...Director Kate Whoriskey (who regularly collaborates with Nottage) complicated things by overemphasizing the play’s broad humor to the point where it often starts to resemble a sitcom version of the reality show Hell’s Kitchen. Still, when Clyde (a sexy as hell Tamberla Perry) is on stage, her scenes are more entertaining (if that’s the word), largely because there’s some real conflict (Clyde remains a one-note character). Forget dialogue — what will be remembered is her amazing eye-popping outfits by Jennifer Moeller. Sadly, the titular entrepreneur is a supporting character, and when she exits scenes fall flatter than a thin layer of ham on a matzo cracker."
LA Splash- Recommended
"...Cleverly helmed of Director Kate Whoriskey, CLYDE’S manages to slip humor inside tragedy and laughs inside failure while maintaining a compassionate perception of these downtrodden individuals who just won’t stay down. The performers each have a unique role in the tale which gives them time to shine and let their acting chops flow. Kudos to Perry (Clyde), the person you love to hate."
Stage Scene LA- Highly Recommended
"...Four sandwich-making ex-cons strive to forge new lives for themselves in Lynn Nottage's hilarious, hard-hitting Clyde's, now playing at the Mark Taper Forum direct from its recent run at Chicago's Goodman Theater."
ArtsBeatLA- Not Recommended
"...According to a survey conducted by American Theater magazine, Lynn Nottage’s Clyde’s is currently the most produced play in the U.S. It’s not surprising that Nottage’s work is being done; she’s received the Pulitzer Prize twice during her illustrious career. But it’s a little disappointing that this show seems to be her most popular. I think she’s a talented playwright and have enjoyed several of her other creations, but I found this play to be meretricious and phony – I didn’t believe a minute of it. The new production of Clyde’s at the Taper is professionally done and features a capable cast, but the play itself feels more like a safe CBS TV sitcom than anything resembling reality."
Total Theater- Recommended
"...Clyde (whose gaudy and lavish costumes are a hoot) sneers at poor Montrellous, reminding him that the truck-drivers who frequent her cafe hate fancy chow (and would also be unimpressed by the unexpected restaurant review that raved about the foursome’s work). As for them climbing out of this black hole and making a new life for themselves: “You left prison but that doesn’t mean you escaped prison.”"
Stage Raw- Somewhat Recommended
"...The themes of the story are beautiful and sweeping, but this staging of Nottage’s text feels haphazard. Kate Whoriskey’s direction trips on sudden tonal shifts, varying from the broadest of comedy to deep, emotional introspection on a moment’s notice — but doesn’t span the short distance credibly. The script, cast, and direction all seem to be out of sync with each other. It’s hard to get a grasp of the characters’ wants and needs when they’re not talking about their pasts, which makes their choices in the moment feel unmotivated. This is most notable in Perry’s performance in the titular role, which never coalesces into a character who makes sense."
Ticket Holders LA- Highly Recommended
"...Indeed, Clyde’s is a comedy in every respect but after the laughter has died down, what emerges is a brilliant treatise about the inherent dignity of our species and the worthiness of each of us beyond the house of cards that too often crumbles under the prickly challenges of our daily lives."
Its Not About Me- Highly Recommended
"...As both a theatre and restaurant critic, and lover of laughter, this is exactly my kind of show—funny to the max, short and easy-to-watch, and…full of food!!!"