Centaur Theatre Company Presents INTIMATE APPAREL, 3/27-4/29

Centaur Theatre presents Intimate Apparel by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.  First staged in Baltimore, Maryland in 2003, this play, whose various incarnations have earned a bevy of awards, including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, addresses race, religion, sexuality, class and time. Visit http://www.centaurtheatre.com/ for more information.

“Intimate Apparel may be set in 1905 New York but the emotions it evokes are quite contemporary.  Through its characters, this beautiful, rich and powerful play directed by Micheline Chevrier uncovers layers of meaning that will resonate with audiences who will find their own personal connections to the underlying messages,” says Centaur’s Artistic and Executive Director, Roy Surette.  

Intimate Apparel tells the story of Esther, a 35-year old African American seamstress who produces elegant lingerie for a clientele whose outward diversity - from socialites to ladies of the night - conceals an underlying universality. Despite the disappointments that relationships have brought to the lives of the various characters, Esther continues to covet a secret dream and yearns for the fulfilment she imagines love and marriage will bring.

“Occasionally, the pairing of actor and role seems so perfect that casting is inevitable. In this case, Lucinda Davis in the role of Esther and Quincy Armorer as George were behind the initial impulse for producing Intimate Apparel,” adds Surette.

The Centaur production’s cast also includes Ranee Lee, Patricia Summersett, Eloi ArchamBaudoin, and Tamara Brown.    

Their performances are set against a ragtime soundtrack by Sound Designer Peter Cerone, supported by the sensual fabrics (an integral part of the weft and warp of this timeless tale) and period costumes by designer Susana Vera, punctuated by lighting created by Martin Sirois and framed by a set designed by Pierre-Étienne Locas which transports audiences to Lower Manhattan. Rounding out the team of professionals bringing this production to life are Assistant Director Jen Cressey, Production Dramaturge Caitlin Murphy, Stage Manager Kira Maros, and Assistant Stage Manager Kirsten ‘Birdie’ Gregor.

Centaur Theatre gratefully acknowledges The Cole Foundation and their Intercultural Conversation Program for their invaluable support of Intimate Apparel.

Thursday Evening Chat-Up. Join Susana Vera for a ‘behind the seams’ look at the stunning period costumes and sumptuous lace-trimmed corsets she created for Intimate Apparel.  Thursday April 19, 2012 at 7PM in The Seagram Gallery.

Tuesday, March 27 – Sunday, April 29, 2012
Previews: Tuesday March 27 and Wednesday March 28, 2012 - 8:00PM
Opening Night: Thursday March 28, 2012 - 8:00PM
Tuesday to Saturday - 8:00PM, Except Thursday April 26th - 7:00PM
Saturday - Sunday Matinees- 2:00PM Except Sunday  April 15th, 2012 - 7:00PM
Wednesday Matinees – April 11 and 18, 2012 - 1:00PM
Closing Performance - Sunday April 29, 2012 - 2:00PM

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