A Kansas City play explores the challenges, and comedy, of life after incarceration

By Steve Kraske,

Published December 13, 2022 at 4:32 PM CST

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Actors from the performance "Clyde's" at the Unicorn Theatre. On stage: two actors smile and embrace in a hug, two male actors working in a kitchen, one woman holding a newspaper looking at the two actors embracing — Cecilia Ananya (right), plays Clyde, the diner boss who hires four formerly incarcerated cooks in the Unicorn Theatre's production of "Clyde's."

Clients from First Call, an alcohol and drug prevention and recovery organization, sat down with actors from the Unicorn Theatre to help the cast of "Clyde's" gain insight into the experiences of individuals trying to rebuild their life after getting out of prison.

In "Clyde's," now playing at the Unicorn Theatre in Kansas City, the titular diner boss hires four formerly incarcerated cooks, with a plot exploring the stigma, and transportation, housing and employment issues commonly faced by people reintegrating into society.

"Thinking about these ways in which the social issues and social impact, the ways in which we can deal with that through art, I think is really one of Lynn Nottage's gifts," said actress Cecilia Ananya.

Clients from First Call, an alcohol and drug prevention and recovery organization in Kansas City, sat down with actors from the Unicorn Theatre to help the cast gain insight into the experiences of individuals trying to rebuild their life after incarceration.

Ananya, First Call counselor LaTanya Dumas, and former First Call client Lauryn Campos joined Up To Date to talk about how they helped to bring these experiences to life on stage.

“Clyde's” runs through Dec. 18 at the Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 64111. Find tickets, showtimes and more here.

LaTanya Dumas, court services counselor, First Call
Cecilia Ananya, "Clyde's" actress, Unicorn Theatre
Lauryn Campos, former client, First Call