Intimacy is created every night in the world of theater, and on Monday night, the Signature Theatre brought together some heavy hitters for a worthy cause with their dream cast with a benefit reading of Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel for Donor Direct Action. The energy of the audience was stirring in the lobby with excitement to hear the stellar cast featuring Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Ari Graynor, Joshua Henry, Tonya Pinkins, Condola Rashad, Morgan Spector, and Dominique Morrisseau, come together for one evening for this Nottage classic. An advocate and board member for DDA, Lynn Nottage addressed the audience with such pride, “I wrote this play after my mother died. My mother and grandmother fought for women’s rights, and I had them in mind when I wrote this. I wrote it for them and for all the women that weren’t a part of the American narrative. This is my dream cast. I would want all these actors to be in the play if it were to be put on as a full production.” What a way to kick off the evening! As the lights came on and the soothing narration of Dominique Morrisseau began, the audience was transported to the world of Esther Mills (Bernstine), an African-American seamstress living and working in 1905 New York. This story of a woman who claims her voice at the dawn of the century continues to resonate with audiences in 2013. Much has changed for women since 1905, yet the fight for women to be heard in the international community is a continuous fight. Watching Katori Hall and Lynn Nottage interact with one another during intermission was a testament to woman power!
Jade King Carroll’s direction of the piece kept us enthralled in the story as we disregarded the fact it was a reading. Condola came on stage with such energy and a voice! Who knew? Tonya grabbed the audience with her sass and humor while Joshua showed us the “flawed” colored man with such strength. Quincy was the captain of this ship and steered the story so beautifully with such dominant reservation.
Although the entire cast had great chemistry onstage, the chemistry between Esther and Mr. Marks was intimate and magnetic.
What a magical evening produced by Nick Gereffi and Rachel Sussman.
“We encourage you to raise your voice and help shed light on the larger issues addressed by Intimate Apparel. In spite of everything, Esther never gives up on the cause of her dreams.” -Nick & Rachel
INTIMATE APPAREL tells the heartfelt story of Esther Mills, an African American seamstress living and working in 1905 New York. Though she has managed a steady livelihood through creating intimate undergarments for a host of clients, Esther has largely seen her own life’s dreams go unfulfilled. When she suddenly finds herself torn between her feelings for the Hasidic merchant whose store she frequents and a lonesome Caribbean man with whom she begins corresponding, the prospect of love and a better future beams bright with promise, but Esther soon learns that the realities of our dreams are often far from what we’ve imagined. A triumphant tale of perseverance that’s equal parts humorous and touching, INTIMATE APPAREL is an ode to the human spirit through one woman’s journey toward claiming her voice at the dawn of a new century.
