Fred Florkowski's scenic design, with Derell Jones (left) as George and Indigo Colbert as Esther.
Derell Jones (left) as George and Indigo Colbert as Esther, with the quilt.
Indigo Colbert (left) as Esther and Bridgette Jordan as Mayme.
George Abud (left) as Mr. Marks, and Indigo Colbert as Esther.
(Photos by Alex Goodman)
By SUE SUCHYTA
Wayne State’s undergraduate theatre company will close out its two week run of Lynn Nottage’s award-winning play “Intimate Apparel” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb.19 at the Bonstelle Theatre, 3424 Woodward in Detroit.
AWARD-WINNING SHOW
The show, which won the 2004 New York Drama Critics’ Circle and the Outer Critics Circle awards for Best Play and Best Off-Broadway Play, respectively, tells the story of a turn-of-the-century African-American 35-year-old virginal seamstress, Esther, who is torn between a Caribbean stranger – an acceptable choice – and a Jewish shopkeeper, a kindred spirit who has a passion for fine fabric – and her.
TURN OF THE CENTURY STORY
The cast is wonderful and believable. Set in 1905 New York City, Indigo Colbert, who plays Esther, an African-American seamstress, is steadfast and strong in her role. She walks a tenuous line as she supplies lingerie for rich white women and black prostitutes, some of whom have become friends.
STITCHING A DREAM
Esther is saving money inside hidden pockets of her colorful quilt in the hope of opening a beauty salon for African-American women. When she answers a letter from a man working on the Panama Canal, her hopes for marriage are reawakened.
CURIOUS GEORGE
However, all is not as it seems, as neither Esther nor her suitor, George, played by Derell Jones, can read, and others have influenced the tone of their correspondence.
THE FABRIC OF THEIR LIVES
George Abud is very likable and believable as the quiet and restrained Mr. Marks, the Hasidic Jewish cloth merchant who has a minefield of cultural taboos separating him from Esther. However, the way both caress of treasured piece of embroidered Asian silk held between them is both reverent and passionate.
CROSSING THE COLOR LINE
Mackenzie Conn shines as Mrs. Van Buren, a lonely, childless white socialite who shares a tenuous friendship with Esther, her seamstress, one that even hints at a forbidden attraction.
SENSUAL FABRIC
Likewise, Esther shares an unusual friendship with Mayme, an African-American prostitute, for whom she creates lush lingerie. Bridgette Jordan portrays Mayme with appealing combination of spirit and earthiness.
A MAN, A PLAN, A CANAL -- PANAMA
Derell Jones plays George, Esther’s pen pal, a laborer on the Panama canal, who travels to New York to become her husband. George, however, is not as sophisticated as his letters imply. He made the most of the least developed character, one who uses Esther for his own means.
SUPERB SET
Fred Florkowski designed the wonderful multi-level set, which is practical and beautiful with a random symmetry that balances symbolism and practicality. It incorporates four main areas: Mr. Marks' cloth shop, and Esther, Mayme and Mrs. Van Buren’s rooms. Elevated curtained archways rise above the set, with the central one being George’s far-away perch during his correspondence courtship with Esther from half a world away.
QUITE A QUILT
Lisa Charlotte Berg, assistant scenic designer and properties mistress, created Esther’s bright and beautiful quilt, which plays a pivotal role in the plot as the “secret keeper.”
A FOCUS ON FABRIC
Clare Hungate-Hawk oversaw the critical turn-of-the-century costume design and creation, so crucial to a plot about a seamstress for whom fine fabric is something treasured. The embroidered blue silk smoking jacket is the show’s piece-de-resistance. The ladies’ corsets are also both symbolically repressive yet at the same time erotic.
SEAMLESS TECH
Anthony Karpinski, a junior BFA design tech student, served ably in his first technical director position with a Wayne State University show.
LIGHTS AND SOUND
Jon Weaver, the lighting designer, and Michael Thomas, the sound designer, also enhanced the production with both street sounds and mood-enhancing lighting. The shadowed silhouettes of Mrs. Van Buren are a very visually pleasing element, and sensual in of themselves. They also capture her life in the symbolic shadow of her husband’s wealth.
CLOSING SUNDAY
The closing performance is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 at the Bonstelle Theatre. For more information, call the box office at (313) 577-2960.
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