The
first time I saw “Intimate Apparel”by Lynn Nottage was in 2004 at the South Coast Repertory
Theatre. I loved it then and I love it even better today. It was then the most
produced play of the year back then and if I had my druthers, it still should
be.
To
its credits are the 2004 NY Drama Critics Circle and Outer Circle Awards for
best play. It received the John Gassner Award, 2004 Drama Desk, Obie and
American Theatre Critics Steinberg 2004 New Play Award. And… it’s playing here
in San Diego/Carlsbad at New Village Arts Theatre through Oct. 20th.
 |
| Gerilyn Brault, Cashae Monya and Tamara McMillian |
Its
portrait is one of an uneducated African American woman who, at the turn of the
century (1905) makes ‘intimate apparel’ for the rich and restless socialites of
the upper class New York Society as well as for the prostitutes in the Tenderloin
District. It's also a tapestry whose story
is woven through the lives of those who are trapped in their own cultures,
customs and societal ways.
With
a well- seasoned and well rounded/excellent cast splendidly directed by Melissa
Coleman Reed, Tamara McMillian as Esther Mills daughter of former slaves is at its center. Esther is so talented and with a well deserved reputation, that unhappy in her marriage,
socialite Mrs. Van Buren (Gerilyn Brault), takes her in her confidence and
almost falls in love. From the rich and famous to the lower echelons she is
also seamstress to her friend Mayme, (Cashae Monya) a high- class prostitute whose
conquests are shared.
 |
| Taurian McLeod |
Esther
is well respected and yes, loved from afar by Mr. Marks, (a wonderfully nuanced Tom Steward), the
Orthodox Jew who sells Esther his most treasured fabrics of imported silks from
which she makes her cherished items.
Theirs
is a hands off love affair that takes place right under their noses but as
religious and cultural restraints forbid their closeness they continue their
business relationship with a tension as thick as an entire bolt of fabric.
Brilliant in her comparison’s, playwright Nottage places them on a parallel
playing field; both are unwed waiting for mail order spouses to arrive and
fulfill their marital obligations. And both share a love of beautiful and
expensive fabrics.
She
is thirty -five and does not have ‘her own man’; she has no one to really
connect with. She begins a correspondence, although she neither reads nor
writes, with George Armstrong, (Taurian McCleod) a West Indian on the Panama
Canal construction crew, who would very much love to come to New York and marry
her. She is elated and in her loneliness convinces herself that she’s in love.
Her
landlady, Mrs. Dickerson, (Milena (Sellers) Phillips) who owns the boarding
house Esther has lived in since she arrived in New York, has concerns about
George’s motives but not enough to shake Esther’s happiness. Esther takes a
leap of faith, very much out of character, that leads to a predictable disaster
in Act II.
 |
| Tamara McMillian and Tom Steward |
Under Coleman Reed’s solid direction and with
poignant and oh so natural acting, Ms. McMillian gives us a accurate portrayal of a
woman’s restraint, elation, surprise, disappointment and finally resignation.
She is easygoing yet poised as Esther threads her way through what should be a
most happy time in her life to the worse case scenario.
Cashae
Monya shows her excellence as a most talented and versatile actor as the high
class, jazz playing prostitute who shares secrets and an occasional drink with
her friend Esther. Her portrayal of Mayme is both funny and painful as she cleans down herself after having sex in what might be called a whores bath, and then dabs
her self with talc.
Taurian
McLeod cuts quite a dashing figure of transformation from laborer to play boy
while Steward is able to subtly move his character from an Orthodox, hands off
Jew to a more cautious and daring suitor.
 |
| Taurian McLeod and Tamara McMillian |
Ms.
Phillips is a powerful presence on any stage, and on target as Esther’s mentor,
friend and adoptive parent. She’s funny, all knowing in her wisdom and while
oft times offering unsolicited advise, knows from whence she comes.
 |
| Gerilyn Brault |
Christopher
Scott Murillo’s s detailed multi level set, with period colors, wallpaper,
sewing machine, several rooms, all different in décor separating one location
from the other, is picture perfect on the long stage of the NVA.
Michael
Rathburn’s lighting is in itself another character emphasizing the backlighting
when George comes on to the scene sharing his stories of his days on the crew
of the building of the Canal to the loneliness he feels and…his longing to come
to New York. The rest are in muted tones in keeping with shaded lighting of the
period. Jojo Siu’s costumes are picture and period perfect for each character
 |
| Cashae Monya and Tamara McMillian |
Lynn
Nottage’s bittersweet saga of self -discovery, and a woman’s courage should be
an inspiration to all who take in this excellent production and like yours
truly, did not want to see it end even after two plus hours.
See you at the theatre.
Dates: Through Oct. 30th
Organization: New Village Arts
Phone: 760-433-3254
Production Type: Drama
Where: 2787 State Street, Carlsbad,
CA
Ticket Prices: $39.00
Web: newvillagearts.org
Photo: Darren Scott
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