NEW CENTURY THEATRE

presents

Intimate Apparel

by Lynn Nottage

Directed by Ed Golden

July 15, 16, 17 & 22, 23, 24, 2010

BOX OFFICE

413-585-3220

Reviewed by Donna Bailey-Thompson

Intimate Apparel is not a piece of fluff. The story is dense with longing, a burst of anticipated happiness, betrayal and resignation. At the end of two long acts, the original characters may have learned more about themselves but if the quality of their lives has improved, the change is virtually imperceptible.

Lynnette R. Freeman’s Esther as the almost Cinderella retains the audience’s loyal support: we want her dreams to come true. But her emotional needs are so deeply embedded that they blind her from recognizing a con when it's disguised as a love letter. She’s a seamstress who creates lovely accessories for Mrs. Van Buren, a lonely socialite (Sandra Blaney) as well as the prostitute, Mayme (Alika Hope). She selects her material from Mr. Marks, an orthodox Jew (sensitively played by David Mason, who was the endearing young priest in To Forgive, Divine). The mutual attraction of Esther, a black woman, and the long-time engaged Mr. Marks whose religion forbids him from any physical contact with a woman not his wife, and their shared passion for beautiful fabrics, is doomed never to blossom – the most poignant of the play’s tragedies. Maggie Miller as the compassionate landlady, Mrs. Dickson, gives a strong performance.

As the opportunist George, Gregory Mikell earns the audience’s contempt: his role is so unlikable, that the applause at his curtain call diminished somewhat, which translates into a compliment because his characterization goes from infectious innocent enthusiasm to disgust for his unconscionable behavior. As an aside, his wiry, well-toned physique makes it easy to believe he’s been working on the construction of the Panama Canal; further, his sculpted arms are the masculine answer to the defined arms of Michelle Obama.

Jacquelyn Marolt’s set is an intricate marvel – four levels, five separated playing areas – and the details of the set decoration include lines of laundry, barely in sight, hung from walkup apartment windows that contribute to the maze of 1905 Lower Manhattan. Out of sight are clouds of steam escaping from manholes and the calling cards left by horses of the mounted police. The costuming by Emily Justice Dunn reflects stylish 1905 New Yorkers as it is funneled down to the working poor. Lighting is crucial to dramatizing the players’ personas and to complementing the series of vignettes; Lighting Designer Daniel D. Rist scores again.

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INTIMATE APPAREL is an award-winning drama by the Pulitzer Prize winning author of CRUMBS FROM THE TABLE OF JOY (produced in NYT's 2004 season). American Theatre Magazine says: "Few American dramatists aspire to such a panoramic view of the world or manage it so engagingly. Curious and imaginative, subtle and intricate, each Nottage play is richer and more incisive than the one before."