Acclaimed Intimate Apparel Staging Closes in New York June 13, Los Angeles Next

By Ernio Hernandez
June 13, 2004

The critically-acclaimed Lynn Nottage play Intimate Apparel will end its scheduled run staging June 13 at Off-Broadway's Laura Pels Theatre and head to Los Angeles.

The New York debut of the work — which marked the inaugural production at the new Roundabout Off-Broadway home — began previews March 20 and opened April 11 for a run originally slated through June 6. The play will perform as the final production of the Mark Taper Forum's season in Los Angeles, July 25-Sept. 12.

In Intimate Apparel, 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.

Daniel Sullivan (Proof) directs Tony Award winner Viola Davis (King Hedley II) and "I Like It Like That" star Lauren Velez in a cast that also includes Arija Bareikis (The Last Night of Ballyhoo, The Moment When), Lynda Gravátt (Crowns, 45 Seconds from Broadway), Russell Hornsby (Jitney) and Corey Stoll (Henry IV).

While one Nottage closes, another opens as the world premiere of Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine premieres June 13 at Playwrights Horizons. Kate Whoriskey directs Charlayne Woodard in the new work slated through July 2 at PH's Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

Intimate Apparel had its world premiere in a co-production between Baltimore's Center Stage and California's South Coast Repertory at both spaces.

The drama has won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play, Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Play and John Gassner Award for Best Play, the American Theatre Critics Association's Francesca Primus Award Best Play and Steinberg New Play Award. Nottage also recently won the PEN/Laura Pels Foundation Award for Drama honoring her career of work.

Tickets for Intimate Apparel at the Mark Taper Forum, 135 North Grand Ave. in Los Angeles, CA can be purchased by calling (213) 628-2772 or on-line at www.TaperAhmanson.com.