Philadelphia-based Arden Theatre Company presents the second production of its 2024/25 season with two-time Pulitzer winning playwright Lynn Nottage’s Intimate Apparel on the Arcadia Stage. Intimate Apparel is based on the life of Nottage’s great-grandmother, a seamstress at the turn of the 20th century.
Directed by Amina Robinson, the first Black woman to win a Barrymore Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for The Color Purple, the powerful production unfolds with previews beginning Oct. 24, opening night Oct. 30, with performances through Dec. 1.
The time is 1905. The place, the Lower East Side. Sewing beautiful lingerie gives Esther Mills, an African American seamstress, an intimate look at the lives of her clientele, but she yearns for a story of her own.
“The language, story, characters, and structure of this piece itself, is an exercise in exploring the innermost complexities of desire, fear, and longing that drive us in life. Set in New York 1905, the story of Esther is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, begging the question, ‘What are you willing to risk to get what you want out of life?’” – Director Amina Robinson
Zuhairah plays Mrs. Dickson in “Intimate Apparel” at the Arden.
This stellar cast features Brandi Porter (Esther), Zuhairah (Mrs. Dickson), Akeem Davis (George), Julianna Zinkel (Mrs. Van Buren), David Pica (Mr. Marks, and Donnie Hammond (Mayme).
If You Go:
- Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $37. Tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org.
- Arden Theatre Company is at 40 N. 2nd St., Philadelphia
- Post-Show Talkback| Monday, Nov. 11, 2024 at 7 p.m.
- Teen Night | Saturday, Nov.16, 2024 at 7 p.m. $15 tickets and a post-show talkback for Teens 13 – 18 years old.
- Young Friends Night! | Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 at 7 p.m. Use code: YFARDEN for $30 tickets (Arden Young Friends is designed for audience members 40 and under and includes a pre-show networking event). Click here to purchase tickets.
- Post-Show Talkback| Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at 2 p.m.
- Smart Caption Glasses | Starting Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024