Cast Set for Off-Broadway's Intimate Apparel, Launching Laura Pels Theatre, March 17
By Ernio Hernandez
20 Feb 2004
"I Like It Like That" star Lauren Velez joins Viola Davis in the cast of the New York premiere of Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel, set to inaugurate the new Off-Broadway Laura Pels Theatre.
Director Daniel Sullivan (Proof) directs the work, which will run March 17-June 6. The play will open April 11 at the new space in the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre.
Mina Badie (Paradise Lost, "Roger Dodger"), Lynda Gravátt (Crowns, 45 Seconds from Broadway), Russell Hornsby (Jitney) and Corey Stoll (Henry IV) also join the cast.
In the new drama, a much sought-after African-American seamstress — who sews elegant intimates for socialites and harlots alike — looks for love and respect in turn of-the-20th-century Manhattan. The work was inspired by Nottage's grandmother, who made lingerie in the same time period.
The design team for Intimate Apparel features Derek McClane (sets), Catherine Zuber (costumes) and Allen Lee Hughes (lights).
Davis won a Tony Award for her turn in August Wilson's King Hedley II. Her other stage credits include Seven Guitars, Everybody's Ruby, As You Like It, House of Lear and God's Heart. She also has appeared in the films "Traffic," "Antwone Fisher," "Far from Heaven" and the upcoming television series "Century City."
Roundabout's new off-Broadway home houses two theatre spaces — the 425-seat Laura Pels Theatre and a 75-seat Black Box Theatre. The Laura Pels will dedicate its programming to new plays by established writers while the Black Box will be used for more experimental works as well as workshops and readings.
The new complex at 111 West 46th Street — formerly known as the American Place Theatre — is named in honor of the Steinberg Charitable Trust, which played a key role in the renovation of the venue. The Laura Pels is named in honor of the producer, philanthropist, long-term Roundabout board member and owner of Paris' Theatre de l'Atelier.
Intimate Apparel had its world premiere in a co-production between Baltimore's Center Stage and California's South Coast Repertory at both spaces.
New York native Nottage is the playwright of Crumbs from the Table of Joy, A Walk Through Time, Por'knockers, Poof!, Las Meninas and Mud, River, Stone — which was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her work has been produced by Second Stage Theatre, The Vineyard Theatre and Playwrights Horizons as well as many regional stages including South Coast Rep, Yale Repertory Theatre, Alliance Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, San Jose Rep and Steppenwolf.
Tickets to Intimate Apparel at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, 111 West 46 St., will be available in March by calling (212) 719-1300 or online at www.roundabouttheatre.org.
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