Right on time for Women’s History Month, The Ensemble Theatre’s next production, ‘CLYDE’S,’ showcases the talents and contributions of amazing female artistry. Written by Pulitzer Prize winning Playwright Lynn Nottage, ‘CLYDE’S’ is one of the most popular plays in the country. ‘CLYDE’S’ debuted on Broadway in 2021 and instantly became a favorite amongst theatre patrons and critics alike, going on to receive the Tony Award for Best Play in 2022. Set in a Pennsylvania truck stop sandwich shop, ‘CLYDE’S’ explores the intricacies of a group of ex-convicts navigating their “second chance” at life and freedom, all while expressing their journeys through the quest to create the perfect sandwich. Under the tyrannic leadership of their boss, Clyde, the group seeks to overcome the mistakes they’ve made and move forward, in whatever way they can.

“By setting up a conflict between a tyrannical, mercenary, abusive boss and a group of struggling kitchen workers — in this case, former felons — who are constantly stymied in their attempts to do their best and most original creative work, Nottage really is going after the forces that control Broadway and the upper echelons of the other branches of showbiz. This shrewdest of American playwrights is tacitly accusing them of a lack of imagination, unkindness toward vulnerable workers, the propagation of unsafe work environments and a determination to play to the lowest common denominator when it comes to the tastes of customers who would prefer better quality fare, if only they were offered such a menu.” -Chis Jones, Chicago Tribune

Adding to the impact of female creative talent, The Ensemble Theatre has collaborated with Shirley Jo Finney to direct ‘CLYDE’S.’ Shirley Jo, who has worked with The Ensemble Theatre previously (her last creative partnership with The Ensemble Theatre was as Director of ‘The Green Book’), is a well-known Actress and Director, having a career that dates back to 1977. Best known for her acting roles (which includes appearances on ‘Lou Grant’, ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Amen’, to name a few), Shirley Jo Finney has also directed episodes of popular TV show ‘Moesha’ and travels across the world directing plays. Shirley Jo Finney is an award-winning international director of theater, television and films, and has most recently directed a revised, surrealist version of ‘Pippin’ for Dartmouth College. Shirley Jo has worn her director’s hat in some of the most respected regional theater houses across the country including The McCarter Theatre, The Pasadena Playhouse, The Goodman Theater, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Cleveland Play house, The Fountain Theater, LA Theater Works, The Crossroads Theater Company, Actors Theater of Louisville Humana Festival, the Sundance Theater Workshop ,The Mark Taper Forum, Kennedy Center For The Performing Arts and the State Theater Opera House in Pretoria ,South Africa.

The Ensemble Theatre has made a conscious effort to hire, develop and showcase female theatre talent across the board, and as a result, ‘CLYDE’S’ has an almost all-female Design Team (with the exception of the Sound Designer) for the production. The costumes for ‘CLYDE’S’ are being designed by the multi-talented Krystal Uchem. The ‘CLYDE’S’ set is being designed by Joyce Milford (who also designed the set for ‘Love & Southern D!scomfort’ at The Ensemble Theatre). ‘CLYDE’S’ Prop Designer is Eileen Dyer. Eileen has worked at The Ensemble Theatre when On The Verge Theatre was utilizing the Audrey H. Lawson Arena Theatre for their production of ‘Tied,’ in which she was the Prop Designer. This will be Eileen’s first mainstage production with The Ensemble Theatre directly. The Lighting Designer for ‘CLYDE’S’ is Janessa Harris, who recently worked on ‘Cullad Wattah’ at Stages. Hair and Makeup Designer Deme Moore will be creating the character looks, while Dramaturg JoAnne Davis Jones works with the team to aid in dramaturgical research and accuracy. The Stage Manager for ‘CLYDE’S’ is Anycole, who is resident Stage Manager with The Ensemble Theatre and the Assistant Stage Manager is Miranda James.

Title character, “Clyde” is being played by Actress Michelle Elaine. Michelle Elaine is a familiar talent in Houston, having worked with some of the best theatres in the area. Michelle has appeared in several mounted productions at the Alley Theatre: ‘A Christmas Carol,’ ‘Clue,’ ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone,’ ‘Sense and Sensibility,’ ‘Sweat,’ ‘Quack,’ ‘All The Way,’ and ‘The Old Friends.’ Michelle has also worked with Alley@Home projects on plays including, ‘For Steve Wozniak,’ ‘On His 67th Birthday,’ and on Alley All New projects including, ‘Enlightened,’ ‘Lightning,’ ‘Quack,’ ‘When We Left,’ ‘Cinched and Strapped,’ ‘The Carpenter,’ and ‘Huck Finn.’ Michelle Elaine has also worked with AD Players on ‘The Christmas Shoes,’ and previously with The Ensemble Theatre on ‘School Girls; Or the African Mean Girls Play,’ ‘By The Way: Meet Vera Stark,’ ‘Knock Me a Kiss,’ ‘Lotto: Experience the Dream,’ ‘Gee’s Bend,’ and ‘Jitney.’ Additionally, Michelle has been seen in 4th Wall productions including, ‘Disgraced,’ Stages Repertory Theatre’s ‘We Are Proud to Present...,’ ‘Failure: A Love Story,’ and ‘Dollhouse;’ Classical Theater Company’s ‘Miss Julie,’ The Back Porch Players’ ‘God, Death,’ and Theatre Southwest’s ‘Bug.’ In addition to her many stage appearances, Michelle Elaine has also been seen on prime time television in shows such as "Walker" (CW), "Underground" (WGN), and "MacGyver" (CBS).

Also cast is the incredibly talented Timothy Eric as the wisdom-filled, witty and insightful “Montrellous.” Timothy’s stage credits include: The Ensemble Theatre – ‘The Lawsons: A Civil Rights Story,’ ‘The Green Book’ ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ ‘Djembe,’ ‘Blues in the Night,’ ‘Jitney,’ ‘Seven Guitars,’ Sty of the Blind Pig;’ ‘Gem of the Ocean,’ ‘Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,’ ‘Two Trains Running,’ ‘Piano Lesson’ and ‘River Niger.’ In addition to his extensive work at The Ensemble Theatre, Timothy Eric has also appeared at Stages Repertory Theatre (‘Speaking in Tongues,’ and ‘Orange Flower Water’), at Main Street Theatre (‘Laws of Storms,’ ‘Woof,’ ‘Intimate Apparel,’ and ‘L.A. is Burning’), and at Alley Theatre (‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’). As a budding playwright, Timothy’s credits include: ‘Jimmy & ParaChute,’ two one-act plays that premiered at The Ensemble Theatre in 2018 and ‘Switchback,’ which played at the 2017 Fade To Black Festival. A proud member of Actors’ Equity since 2002, Timothy earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre/Cinema and MA in Radio Television & Film from Texas Southern University.

Bringing in much of the play’s humor is Actor Michael Sifuentes, who plays “Rafael.” Michael Sifuentes is a Houston-Based Actor in his senior year at the University of Houston. This is his debut with The Ensemble Theatre. Michael was most recently on stage as Uta/Guard in University of Houston’s production of ‘Rumpelstiltskin.’ In 2022, he appeared in ‘Aunt Julia & The Scriptwriter’ with Main Street Theater, and ‘Shakespeare in the Shade’s Henry V’. Other credits include ‘Henry V’, ‘Middletown’, ‘The Orestia’, and ‘Kid Simple’ at the University of Houston.

Bringing a heartfelt and delicate performance, in a “rose grows from concrete” type-of-way, is Actress Krystle Liggins playing “Letitia.” Krystle is a Houston native who trained at the Meisner Technique Studio in San Francisco with Jim Jarrett and Melissa Thompson-Esaia of Empowerhouse Acting Studio. She has played in roles from ‘Shakespeare’ to Lynn Nottage’s ‘Intimate Apparel.’ Krystle has worked off-Broadway as well as in film and television from the East Coast to the West Coast.

Lastly, Actor Wesley Whitson is playing the rough-around-the-collar character “Jason.” This is also Westley’s debut at The Ensemble Theatre. He holds a BFA from The University of Houston. Wesley’s regional credits include: Houston Shakespeare Festival’s ‘King Lear,’ 4th Wall Theatre Co’s ‘GLORIA,’ Dirt Dogs Theatre Co’s ‘Clybourne Park,’ and Unity Theatre’s ‘And Then There Were None.’ Wesley is a company member with The Broad’s Way Houston. This past year he was voted “Favorite Local Male Actor” in OutSmart Magazine’s Gayest and Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards and awarded Best Supporting Actor in Houston Press’ Theatre Awards.

‘CLYDE’S’ will preview on Saturday, March 18, Sunday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 22.

‘CLYDE’S’ will open on Thursday, March 23, 2023.