Eastern Michigan University’s Theatre Department is wrapping up its 2010-2011 year, which spanned the genre from Shakespearean plays to 1970s cult classics, with Lynn Nottage’s 2003 production, “Intimate Apparel.”
The winner of 2004’s New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, “Intimate Apparel” is the story of Esther, an African-American seamstress living in a boardinghouse in Manhattan in 1905.
Though she’s ambitious and has plans of her own for life, she feels pressure to conform to society’s expectations of African-American women She makes expensive, custom lingerie for rich clients and lives vicariously through the sexual encounters she’s told about.
Esther’s practically given up on the idea of finding a man of her own to fulfill her fantasies with and love. It’s drilled into her head by her bossy landlady she should be grateful for any man who shows interest in her.
That is, until Jewish clothier Mr. Marks starts saving his most beautiful fabrics for Esther, and she starts receiving letters from George Armstrong, a Barbadian laborer working on the Panama Canal. Esther’s lonely life starts to look up, and she has some decisions to make regarding it.
After more than 20 productions at EMU, director Wallace Bridges is excited about the opening of “Intimate Apparel” this weekend.
“I read it a few years ago and felt that it promoted diversity,” he said. “I also liked that is was such an intimate – no pun intended – show, with such a small cast.”
The play opens at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Quirk-Sponberg Theatre. It will be playing at 7 p.m. April 2, 7, 8, 9 as well as a matinee at 3 p.m. April 3. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or at www.emutix.com. They are $12 for students, $15 for non-students and $7 for children ages 12 and under.
