Usually the audible whispering of fellow theatergoers irritates me. But when the middle-aged woman sitting near me said, in a very excited, almost girlish voice, "The set looks great," I didn't mind her chattering.
"Intimate Apparel" has a tiered set that creates the perfect first impression: uncomplicated, yet beautiful in its simplicity. The audience sees Esther's modest room, Mayme's boudoir, Mrs. Van Buren's dressing room and Mr. Marks' apartment-cum-fabric store. Like the perfect outfit, these rooms boast flashes of color and texture, but in an understated way: It whispers, not screams. The period costumes are also understated, but no less stunning. The fabrics worn by the actors and sewn by Esther beg to be touched.
With a set and costumes designed to draw you in, it is no surprise that I, along with the rest of the audience, was captivated the moment the lights went dim.
Set in turn of the century Manhattan, Lynn Nottage's "Intimate Apparel" tells the story of Esther Mills, a gifted seamstress that specializes in fine lingerie. She designs for society wives and prostitutes alike, her discretion earning respect from customers. Despite her amazing talent, Esther finds herself without "true" love and spends her days sewing and rubbing elbows with a very diverse group of associates.
Each bit of the wonderfully straightforward dialogue evokes strong emotions. You can feel women melt when romantic interest George's accented voice delivers promises that we know early on won't and can't be kept; we're lost in the moment and can't see the heartache ahead. There are moments when the audience wants to tell Esther to open her eyes and see happiness closer at hand. When motherly figure Mrs. Dickson tells Esther, in her sassy tone, not to take any crap from a man, more than one woman in the room testified, "I know that's right." And each and every one of us feel our hearts break…no, shatter…when all truths are revealed.
Critically acclaimed, "Intimate Apparel" deserves each accolade it has received.
At Steppenwolf Theatre; 1650 N. Halsted; (312) 335-1650; $20-$60. Through March 13; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, with 2:30 matinees on Feb. 23, March 2 and March 9; 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (no 7:30 shows on Feb. 27, March 6 and March 13.)
Reviewed by Centerstage!
Map it