Westport Country Playhouse Sets INTIMATE APPAREL Community Events

Westport Country Playhouse will present a community engagement initiative, "Threads of Time, Fabric of History: 'Intimate Apparel' in Context," September 27 through November 1. The series of events, many of which are free-of-charge, will run concurrently with the Playhouse's production of Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's play, "Intimate Apparel," directed by Mary B. Robinson, a love story confronting race and religion. The play won the American Theatre Critics and New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards for Best Play.

"I'm amazed at the generosity and creativity of our community partners as they've helped us put this initiative together," said David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director. "With many wonderful local organizations, along with partners from as far afield as Hartford, we've assembled a calendar of events that celebrates this play, meditates on its many themes, and will stimulate and enliven anyone who attends."

Through speakers, panel discussions, a film screening, art exhibit, and more, "Threads of Time, Fabric of History: 'Intimate Apparel' in Context" will explore the play's multi-faceted themes of labor, immigration, race, religion, New York at the turn of the twentieth century, class relations, and women's issues. The enrichment programs are designed to deepen the audience's experience of the play.

Speakers will include Darryl Pinckney, author and playwright, on "The Fight for Black American Voting Rights," on Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 p.m.; David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, and guests, at a Sunday Symposium discussing "Intimate Apparel," on Sunday, October 12, after the 3 p.m. performance; Julie Greene, noted historian and author, on "A Remarkable Enterprise: The Laborers Who Built the Panama Canal," on Sunday October 19, after the 3 p.m. performance; the cast of "Intimate Apparel," on Thursday, October 23, after the 8 p.m. performance; and Yohuru R. Williams, professor at Fairfield University, on the theme of community as reflected in the play, on Sunday, October 26, following the 3 p.m. performance.

"Ragtime," Miloš Forman's 1981 adaptation of E.L. Doctorow's novel of intertwining stories in turn-of-the-twentieth century New York City, will be screened on Sunday, October 5, at 3:30 p.m. Nominated for eight Academy Awards, the film features James Cagney, Howard E. Rollins, Jr., Debbie Allen, Elizabeth McGovern, and Mandy Patinkin. The afternoon will feature an introduction to the film by the Westport Cinema Initiative.

"Together at the Table Family Dinner," on Thursday, October 16, 6:30 p.m., will provide an opportunity for families with student-age children to enjoy a communal dinner and casual conversation about the show before attending the 8 p.m. performance for $10.

"A Day for the Community," with all tickets priced at $15 for the Sunday, October 26, 3 p.m. performance, will include a pre-show reception and a post-show discussion on the theme of community as reflected in the play.

The Amistad Center at the Wadsworth Atheneum will present "Handcrafted: Fabric of History," an exhibit of textiles, dresses, and images from Connecticut's historic garment industry on display in the Playhouse lobby and online throughout the run of "Intimate Apparel," Tuesday, October 7 through Saturday, November 1.

Special events surrounding the play include "LGBT Night Out," geared specifically for the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community and allies, on Thursday, October 9, 6:30 p.m., with a cocktail party and performance for $35; "Educators' Night," featuring a meet and mingle discussion of the play's themes, on Friday, October 10, 6:30 p.m., with pre-show reception and performance for $20; and "Interact: Playhouse Young Professionals Party," where patrons under 40 can network and socialize, on Friday, October 31, 6:30 p.m., with pre-show reception and performance for $25.

Especially for educators, Lois Brown, Professor of English and African-American Studies at Wesleyan University, will lead a half-day workshop on "Teaching African-American Literature," on Monday, October 6, 4 to 7 p.m.

Off-site events feature "New York, Episode 4: The Power and the People (1898-1918)," by filmmaker Ric Burns, on Saturday, September 27, 7:30 p.m., a collaboration with the Unitarian Church in Westport and TEAM Westport, at the Unitarian Church; "Messing in Men's Business: The Final Push for Women's Suffrage," a discussion with Rhea Hirshman, professor of the Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at UConn Stamford, on Monday, September 29, 7 p.m., at the Westport Library; and "So Where Do I Begin?: My Journey through Memories and Milestones," a memoir-writing workshop led by Jessica Bram, writer, radio commentator, and author, on Tuesday, September 30, 6 p.m., at the Westport Historical Society, $10 fee.

Norwalk Community College has assigned the play "Intimate Apparel" as the "common read" for all 600 incoming new students this fall, while Housatonic Community College's study of the play will feature classroom activities led by Playhouse staff members. The Playhouse will provide access for all NCC and HCC students who wish to attend a performance with student tickets of $15.

The Playhouse will also work with Norwalk's Carver Center in an afterschool arts program designed to foster an appreciation for family history, storytelling, and history. Inspired by Lynn Nottage's process in creating "Intimate Apparel," students will research and write a family member's story based on a historical photograph.

2014 marks the fifth consecutive year that the Playhouse has undertaken an enhanced programming initiative surrounding one of its productions. This year's community partners are Amistad Center for Art & Culture at The Wadsworth Atheneum; The Carver Center of Connecticut; Center for African-American Studies, Wesleyan University; Connecticut League of History Organizations; CT Humanities; Facing History and Ourselves; Housatonic Community College; Links, Inc. of Fairfield County, New Haven, and Westchester; Norwalk Community College; Norwalk Historical Society; Sacred Heart University; TEAM Westport; Unitarian Church in Westport; Westport Cinema Initiative; Westport Historical Society; and The Westport Library.

"Threads of Time, Fabric of History: 'Intimate Apparel' in Context" has been made possible through the generous funding of The Graham Foundation of Connecticut, NEA Arts Works, and Connecticut Humanities' CT at Work initiative. Media Sponsor is Hearst Media Services.

A complete calendar of community engagement events is available on-line at westportplayhouse.org, or a special brochure may be requested by calling the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.