Theater Review: Intimate Apparel

SARASOTA—On Friday, The Asolo Repertory Theatre opened Intimate Apparel, a pitch-perfect period piece by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

In a season that is already off to a searing start, director Austene Van has turned in the most impressive Asolo production thus far. An endearing story of guilelessness and perseverance chock full of dazzling performances, Intimate Apparel sails straight to the top of this year's not-to-be-missed list.

Esther is a 35-year-old seamstress in early 20th century New York City who seems destined to fade into life as a spinster when she is unexpectedly courted via correspondence by George Armstrong, a Bajun man working on the Panama Canal. Encouraged by her wealthy client, Mrs. Van Buren, and forewarned by her landlady, Mrs. Dickson, Esther must navigate some of life's murkiest waters with precious little worldly experience to draw from.

Aneisa J. Hicks and Sasha Andreev. Photo by Kayla Erny

Aneisa J. Hicks is downright otherworldly as Esther, endowing her character with so much personality that she accomplishes the rare feat of transcending the world of make believe to deliver a character so three dimensional that audiences will feel genuine emotional pull from her plight.

Curtis Bannister gives a powerful performance as the frustrated immigrant George, who must make difficult moral decisions when confronted by the prejudices of his new home. Regina Marie Williams and Adelin Phelps provide comic relief in perfect tone as Mrs. Dickson and Mrs. Van Buren, respectively, while Asolo Conservatory student Trezure B. Coles lights up the stage as Esther's prostitute friend Mayme.

Fresh off a stellar performance in Inherit the Wind, Sasha Andreev earns similar praise for his poignant performance as Mr. Marks, a fabric merchant with a crush on Esther that is complicated by his Orthodox Jewish faith. Scenic designer Michael Hoover's ambitious two-story set deserves special acknowledgment, and Alan Edwards' lighting was especially stellar.

Aneisa J. Hicks and Curtis Bannister. Photo by Kayla Erny

Intimate Apparel runs through April 18 in the Mertz Theatre, located in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts. For ticket information, visit the Asolo website.