The opera adaptation of Intimate Apparel completes its Off-Broadway run at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater March 6. The work features a libretto from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, adapting her own play of the same name; music by Ricky Ian Gordon;o and direction by Bartlett Sher. The production opened January 31 after beginning performances January 13.
As announced last week, the production has been filmed for future broadcast on PBS's Great Performances series. A premiere date for the live filming has not yet been determined.
The story centers on Esther, a seamstress in turn-of-the-century New York, who sews corsets and ladies' undergarments. Her own search for love leads to a letter-writing relationship, to an unhappy marriage, and finally to a recognition of her own self worth. Kearstin Piper Brown plays Esther at the final Sunday matinee, a role she shared during the run with Chabrelle Williams.
The cast also includes Justin Austin, Errin Duane Brooks, Chanáe Curtis, Adrienne Danrich, Jesse Darden, Arnold Livingston Geis, Christian Mark Gibbs, Tesia Kwarteng, Anna Laurenzo, Barrington Lee, Jasmine Muhammad, Naomi Louisa O'Connell, Kimberli Render, Adam Richardson, Krysty Swann, Indra Thomas, and Jorell Williams.
The production features sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Jennifer Tipton, sound by Marc Salzberg, projections by 59 Productions, music direction by Steven Osgood, and choreography by Dianne McIntyre. Theresa Flanagan is the Stage Manager and casting is by The Telsey Office.
Nottage's play Intimate Apparel ran Off-Broadway at Roundabout Theatre in 2004 with Tony-, Oscar-, and Emmy-winner Viola Davis in the role of Esther. The opera adaptation had begun previews February 27, 2020, but was interrupted by the pandemic closures before it officially opened.
Kearstin Piper Brown and Justin Austin
Kearstin Piper Brown and Arnold Livingston Geis
Krysty Swann and the company of Intimate Apparel
Justin Austin
Kearstin Piper Brown
Kearstin Piper Brown and Naomi Louisa O'Connell
Justin Austin, Adrienne Danrich, and Kearstin Piper Brown
The company of Intimate Apparel
