“Intimate Apparel” Wears It Well By Wes Hessel

“Intimate Apparel” Wears It Well

By Wes Hessel

 

“Intimate Apparel”, as produced by the Northlight Theatre, is a soul-stirring, at times gut-wrenching, as well as humorous, play, following the life and work of Esther, which seems to be mostly the same thing.  Esther makes underpinnings for ladies in 1905 New York, whether they be a society scion or a piano player in her parlor.  Her relationships with the women she stitches for, as well as two gentlemen of very different occupations and temperaments, drive this drama distinctively.

The title is no accident, as we are witnesses to many exchanges which parallel the garments Esther so artfully sews.  There is an observation by this seamstress at the center of the play in regards to the particulars of the undergarments she creates, that those of means want what the Tenderloin inhabitants have, and the residents of that infamous neighborhood desire what those of polite society have.  The various conversations over design with her clients demonstrate the differences are in the color and details, but ultimately that which is underneath is the same.

But the play is very much about people judging one’s book by its cover – the gut-wrenching comes in where one friendship should be so much more, and another relationship brings near ruin that one can see coming without necessarily specific clues.  The actors in “Intimate Apparel” interact most often on an intimate level of some form, and do so exceedingly well.

Mildred Marie Langford’s gripping Esther is humble to a fault but with a strength of character that will draw a line if need be.  Felecia P. Fields as her boarding house landlady Mrs. Dickson deftly combines the house mother and gossip aspects nicely.  Rebecca Spence portrays smartly upper crust woman Mrs. Van Buren as one who knows how to play the game the way she’s expected, but behind closed doors the facade falters – but only so far.  Rashada Dawan (Mayme) gives much to a character who has a class of her own but also a cavalierness that runs deep.

At the performance I saw, the character of George was personified practically perfectly by Yao Dogbe as the seeming gentlemen in pauper’s clothing.  The role is assumed May 3rd by Al’Jaleel McGhee – Mr. McGhee’s stunning work as the male lead in Northlight’s “Fireflies”, amongst others, assures one his characterization here will be no less strong.  And Sean Fortunato’s Mr. Marks once again demonstrates his total immersion in the parts he plays, no matter how varied, to exemplary success and emotional impact.

“Intimate Apparel” pulls you in and then does not let go until it has hit home in several ways.  Lynn Nottage’s striking script is harnessed by director Tasia A. Jones into a moving manifest which also entertains endearingly.  So do not miss the opportunity to watch this well-executed production, which runs only through May 15th, so please visit www.northlight.org for tickets or more information.

 

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