Cast Announced for Lynn Nottage's INTIMATE APPAREL at Playhouse on Park

The cast for Playhouse on Park's production of Intimate Apparel, written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, has been announced. Opening night is Friday, February 16 with a complimentary wine and cheese reception at 7pm, followed by the show at 8pm.

In 1905, Esther, an African American seamstress, supports herself by creating exquisite lingerie for wealthy Manhattan clients. When a letter arrives from a stranger, it awakens a desire within her that leads to the love that she yearned for, but it is nothing like she expected. As described by playwright Paula Vogel, "Lynn Nottage's work explores depths of humanness, the overlapping complexities of race, gender, culture and history-and the startling simplicity of desire-with a clear tenderness, with humor, with compassion."

Starring in this production are: Darlene Hope (Off-Broadway: SISTAS THE MUSICAL, NORMALCY. Asolo Rep: STRING OF PEARLS, ANYTHING TO DECLARE, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, TROJAN WOMEN, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey: ROMEO AND JULIET, A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM) as Esther, Beethovan Oden (A winner of the Black Theatre Alliance-Ossie Davis award. Off-Broadway credits: New Federal Theatre, Luna Stage Company MASTER HAROLD...AND THE BOYS. Regional:Cape Fear Regional Theatre, Capital Stage Company, Victory Gardens Theatre, The Dallas Theater Center) as George, Xenia Gray (Playhouse on Park: Mrs. Pearce HIGGINS IN HARLEM. Recent credits include: The Lady in Red FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO'VE CONSIDERED SUICIDE FOR WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF, Sinclair Betterthan FAMILY TIES, Miss Elliot MISSING) as Mrs. Dickson, Ben McLaughlin (Hole in the Wall Theater: THE CRUCIBLE; Artfarm: THE SERVANT OF TWO MASTERS; One-Eyed Jacks Theatre Co: LEADING LADIES) as Mr. Marks, Zuri Eshun (Tristan Bates Theatre: The Young Wife LA RONDE; The Arcola Theatre: Mimi THE WORKROOM, Theatro Tecnis. Zuri has recently completed her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting at the East 15 Acting School of London) as Mayme, and Anna Laura Strider (White Plains Performing Arts Center: THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME; Stomping Ground Theater: Shelby STEEL MAGNOLIAS; NYC Fringe Festival: Martha SUPER! THE MUSICAL; Anna Laura was crowned Miss Alabama in 2012) as Mrs. Van Buren.

Returning to direct Intimate Apparel is Dawn Loveland Navarro. Selected Playhouse on Park Directing Credits: THE CHOSEN, PROOF, OLEANNA, THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK, RED LIGHT WINTER. She is Playhouse on Park's Director of Institutional Giving and was their founding Director of Education. She is the Director of Education Outreach at Theatre Horizon.

Previews for Intimate Apparel are February 14 and 15. All preview seats are only $17.50! Each Sunday matinee features a talkback with the cast after the show. This show also offers a specially priced Tuesday matinee on February 27 at 2:00pm. All seats for this performance are only $22.50 per person, reserved seating.

A Young Professionals Night Out has been planned in conjunction with the production of Intimate Apparel on Saturday, February 17. Guests will be treated to a pre-show networking reception with complimentary hors d'oeuvres and a signature cocktail featuring Wild Moon Spirits from Hartford Flavor Company! The reception will be held from 6:30-7:45pm, with the show beginning at 8pm. The ticket price Young Professionals (ages 21-35) is just $20!

Intimate Apparel runs through March 4. Individual tickets are now on sale, ranging from $30 to $40, all seats reserved. Seniors, Students, and Let's Go Arts Member discounts are available. For tickets or more information, call our box office at 860-523-5900 x10 or visit www.playhouseonpark.org. Playhouse on Park is located at 244 Park Road, West Hartford, CT 06119.