Theater Up Close Returns with the South Florida Premiere of ‘Clyde’s’ November 2-19

Miami, FL – October 13, 2023 – Zoetic Stage (@ZoeticStageMIA) and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County (@arshtcenter) are proud to present the South Florida premiere of Lynn Nottage’s comedy hit CLYDE’S, which humorously explores how kitchen workers at a truck stop sandwich shop seek to rebuild their lives and find purpose after incarceration. Written by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage (MJ the Musical) and featuring an all-local cast, CLYDE’S kicks off Zoetic Stage’s 14^th season at the Arsht Center.

Tickets to CLYDE’S are $55 and $60*. Tickets may be purchased at the Adrienne Arsht Center box office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at arshtcenter.org.

Audiences are invited to sample some of the sandwiches featured in the show on Friday, November 3, for an opening night celebration. Local food truck Ms. Cheezious (@mscheezious) will be serving up a customized menu on the Thomson Plaza for the Arts beginning at 6 p.m.

Zoetic Stage will continue their Second Sunday Talkback series immediately following the matinee performance on Sunday, November 12.

The Arsht Center’s THEATER UP CLOSE series gratefully acknowledges the founding support of Adrianne and Jerry L. Cohen.

“We are so thrilled to present Clyde’s to the South Florida community,” said Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. “Lynn Nottage wrote a truly funny, insightful and stunning play that I know audiences will be talking about for a while. There is little wonder why Clyde’s is one of the most sought-after and produced plays in the country.”

In CLYDE’S, a truck-stop sandwich shop offers its formerly incarcerated kitchen staff a shot at redemption. Even as the shop’s callous owner tries to keep them down, the staff members learn to reclaim their lives, find purpose and become inspired to dream by their shared quest to create the perfect sandwich. The Hollywood Reporter called the play “a poignant story about worker solidarity and the meaning of second chances, loaded with laugh-out-loud funny jokes.” CLYDE’S is the second Nottage play to be produced by Zoetic Stage, following the success of Mlima’s Tale last October.

CLYDE’S features an all-local cast of Zoetic Stage veterans: Karen Stephens (American Son), Gabriell Salgado (Frankenstein, GringoLandia), Sydney Presendieu (Mlima’s Tale), Kristian Bikic (#Graced) and Randy Coleman in his Zoetic debut.

The play’s creative team features scenic design by Natalie Taveras and Jodi Dellaventura, properties and costume design by Natasha Hernandez, lighting design by Tony Galaska and sound design by Matt Corey.

CLYDE’S is directed by Zoetic Stage Artistic Director Stuart Meltzer. Stuart is a Miami native and the proud recipient of numerous Carbonell Awards for Best Director. He is also a Carbonell Award winner for Best New Work for his play The Goldberg Variations. Altogether, he has been honored with eighteen Carbonell nominations.

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT

Lynn Nottage is a playwright and a screenwriter. She is the first, and remains the only, woman to have won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice. Her plays have been produced widely in the United States and throughout the world.

*All programs, artists, ticket prices, availability, dates and times are subject to change without notice. Additional fees may apply. Visit arshtcenter.org for up-to-date information.

 The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County is made possible by the public support of the Miami-Dade County Mayor and the Board of County Commissioners, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Tourist Development Council and the City of Miami Omni Community Redevelopment Agency, as well as the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. The Adrienne Arsht Center also receives generous support from individuals, corporations and local, state and national foundations.