Director, Mary Job, says it best:Intimate Apparelis “… about different kinds of intimacy — physical, social, generational and emotional, about how and why we establish that intimacy, with whom we find ourselves intimate, and about the freedoms and constraints of those bonds. It is also a play about gender and race. All of the women in the play are defined, socially and economically by their relationship — or lack thereof — to men…”
This fascinating script by award-winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, is set in 1905 with the perspective of 2003, the year it premiered. Be sure to read the rest of Mary’s director’s note to find out more about her personal inspiration for the script.
Esther, an “old maid” black seamstress (Anna Hill), lives in a women’s boarding house and sews intimate apparel for clients ranging from wealthy white ladies to prostitutes. She succumbs to the pen-pal charms of a Caribbean man (Dillon Smith) working on the Panama Canal, and agrees to marry him sight unseen. As one might suspect, the marriage does not unfold according to her hopes and dreams. Esther’s relationship with her husband, as well as with her landlady (Ny’kieria Blocker), her prostitute clothing-client (Jamerra Kates), her unhappily married wealthy white client (Mary Wardell) — and the adorable Jewish fabric salesman (Lewis C. Elson)— weave a fascinating fabric of assorted intimacies.
Anna plays our heroine Esther with unassuming restraint that blooms into strength as the play progresses. Ny’Kieria bubbles with busy-body energy as Esther’s motherly landlady. Mary gives Mrs. Van Buren her full range of privilege and victimhood. Jamerra is a warm and spirited friend, making the best of her red-light profession. Lewis is excellent as the Jew who shares Esther’s appreciation of fine fabric and blooms in her presence. Dillon is believable as both the dream of a man who could “rescue” Esther and the real-life disappointment of a husband.
The set (Renae Selmeyer, Asst. Professor of Scenic Design at MSU) is a lovely, practical, multi-level playground for all locations, so the scenes can flow with out delays - with a scrim and “distant” background representing the mysterious Panama, where George’s endearing letters come from. The all-important costumes are characters in themselves, corsets and more, created by our leading lady — but really coming from Chele Peterson, LCC’s talented staff costume designer.
Intimate Apparelcontinues Friday and Saturday, November 12-13 @ 8 p.m. and Sunday, November 14 @ 2 p.m. in Dart Auditorium. Masks are required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status.
$5 – students; $10 – LCC faculty, staff and seniors; $15 – general admission; tickets sold at the door. (Cash and checks accepted.)