Lincoln Center Theater and Metropolitan Opera's Off-Broadway production of Intimate Apparel, an opera adaptation of Lynn Nottage's 2003 play, will be filmed for broadcast on PBS' Great Performances series. Nottage, a two-time Pulitzer winner, has adapted the libretto, working with composer Ricky Ian Gordon. The work is currently playing at LCT's Mizi E. Newhouse Theater through March 6.
The story centers on Esther, a seamstress in turn-of-the-century New York, who sews corsets and ladies' undergarments. Her own search for love leads to a letter-writing relationship, to an unhappy marriage, and finally to a recognition of her own self worth. The role of Esther has been shared by Kearstin Piper Brown and Chabrelle Williams during the Off-Broadway run; Brown will be featured in the filmed version.
Also in the cast are Justin Austin, Errin Duane Brooks, Chanáe Curtis, Adrienne Danrich, Jesse Darden, Arnold Livingston Geis, Tesia Kwarteng, Anna Laurenzo, Barrington Lee, Jasmine Muhammad, Naomi Louisa O’Connell, Adam Richardson, Kimberli Render, David Morgans Sanchez, Krysty Swann, Indra Thomas, and Jorell Williams.
The production is directed by Tony winner Bartlett Sher and features sets by Michael Yeargan, costumes by Catherine Zuber, lighting by Jennifer Tipton, sound by Marc Salzberg, projections by 59 Productions, music direction by Steven Osgood, and choreography by Dianne McIntyre. Theresa Flanagan is the Stage Manager and casting is by The Telsey Office.
Intimate Apparel was developed by LCT and The Met as part of the Met/LCT New Works Program, a co-venture between the two institutions that looks to develop new opera and musical theatre works. The broadcast version is produced by LCT, The Met, and The WNET Group. Gary Halvorsen will direct the filming.
Upcoming Great Performances broadcasts include Sutton Foster in Anything Goes, filmed in London's West End, Jocelyn Bioh's Merry Wives from The Public Theater's 2021 Free Shakespeare in the Park season, and a documentary chronicling the development of Broadway's current revival of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Company.
