'Intimate Apparel' To Be Presented at West Hartford's Playhouse on Park - We-Ha

‘Intimate Apparel,’ written by Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, opens on Feb. 16 with previews available on Feb. 14 and 15.

Submitted

Playhouse on Park‘s Main Stage Series presents Intimate Apparel, a historical romance set in New York City by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage. Opening night is Friday, Feb. 16 with a complimentary wine and cheese reception at 7 p,m,, followed by the show at 8 p,m.

In 1905, Esther, an African American seamstress, supports herself by creating exquisite lingerie for wealthy Manhattan clients. When a letter arrives from a stranger, it awakens a desire within her that leads to the love that she yearned for, but it is nothing like she expected. As described by playwright Paula Vogel, “Lynn Nottage’s work explores depths of humanness, the overlapping complexities of race, gender, culture and history – and the startling simplicity of desire – with a clear tenderness, with humor, with compassion.”

Starring in this production are: Darlene Hope (Off-Broadway: SISTAS THE MUSICAL, NORMALCY. Asolo Rep: STRING OF PEARLS, ANYTHING TO DECLARE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, TROJAN WOMEN, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey: ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM) as Esther, Beethovan Oden (A winner of the Black Theatre Alliance-Ossie Davis award. Off-Broadway credits: New Federal Theatre, Luna Stage Company MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS. Regional:Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Capital Stage Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Dallas Theater Center) as George, Xenia Gray (Playhouse on Park: Mrs. Pearce HIGGINS IN HARLEM. Recent credits include: The Lady in Red FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO’VE CONSIDERED SUICIDE FOR WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, Sinclair Betterthan FAMILY TIES, Miss Elliot MISSING) as Mrs. Dickson,Ben McLaughlin (Hole in the Wall Theater: THE CRUCIBLE; Artfarm: THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS; One-Eyed Jacks Theatre Co: LEADING LADIES) as Mr. Marks, Zuri Eshun (Tristan Bates Theatre: The Young Wife LA RONDE; The Arcola Theatre: Mimi THE WORKROOM, Theatro Tecnis. Zuri has recently completed her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting at the East 15 Acting School of London) as Mayme, and Anna Laura Strider (White Plains Performing Arts Center: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME; Stomping Ground Theater: Shelby STEEL MAGNOLIAS; NYC Fringe Festival: Martha SUPER! THE MUSICAL; Anna Laura was crowned Miss Alabama in 2012) as Mrs. Van Buren.

Returning to direct Intimate Apparel is Dawn Loveland Navarro. Selected Playhouse on Park Directing Credits: THE CHOSEN, PROOF, OLEANNA, THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK, RED LIGHT WINTER. She is Playhouse on Park’s Director of Institutional Giving and was their founding Director of Education. She is the Director of Education Outreach at Theatre Horizon.

Previews for Intimate Apparel are Feb. 14 and 15. All preview seats are only $17.50. Each Sunday matinee features a talkback with the cast after the show. This show also offers a specially priced Tuesday matinee on Feb. 27 at 2 p.m. All seats for this performance are only $22.50 per person, reserved seating.

A Young Professionals Night Out has been planned in conjunction with the production of Intimate Apparel on Saturday, Feb. 17. Guests will be treated to a pre-show networking reception with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a signature cocktail featuring Wild Moon Spirits from Hartford Flavor Company. The reception will be held from 6:30-7:45 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m. The ticket price Young Professionals (ages 21-35) is just $20.

Intimate Apparel runs through March 4. Individual tickets are now on sale, ranging from $30 to $40, all seats reserved. Senior, student, and Let’s Go Arts Member discounts are available.

For tickets or more information, call the box office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Rd., West Hartford, CT 06119.

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