Intimate Apparel Takes the Firestone Stage
Lynn Nottage’s Award-Winning Play Brings Turn-of-Century to Life
Cast Brings Magic to Beautiful, Lyrical Story
(Monday, November 7, 2016 – Akron, OH) -- Firestone Theatre presents the second main stage production of its first season in a new performance space as Lynn Nottage’s play, Intimate Apparel, brings the turn of the 20th Century to powerful life. Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. on November 17, 18, and 19, 2016. Tickets are $5.00 in advance, $8.00 at the door, and $10.00 for reserved, VIP seating. All performances are held in the Linda B. Kersker Auditorium of the Firestone Community Learning Center located at 470 Castle Blvd, Akron.
Intimate Apparel is written by the award-winning playwright Lynn Nottage (Ruined) and is set in 1905. This beautiful play features the story of Esther Mills, a skilled African-American seamstress. She has her own successful business, making lingerie for both society ladies, Mrs. Van Buren in particular, and "ladies of the night." Esther has a failed romantic relationship with George Armstrong, who is working on the Panama Canal. She has an unlikely friendship with Mr. Marks, an Orthodox Jew. The play is based on the life of Nottage's great-grandmother. The cast of Intimate Apparel is led by seniors Angelina Stallings (Esther), and Patrick Fields (Mr. Marks) The cast is completed by juniors Bree Chambers (Mrs. Dickson), Olivia Kirschbaum (Mrs. Van Buren), and Makyia Johnson (Mayme), as well as sophomore Marcus Lee (George).
Intimate Apparel is under the direction of Mark A. Zimmerman. Randie O. Sass serves as the costume designer. She is assisted by the student designer, Mary Elynmarie Kazle serves as the production manager. Richard Morris has designed the scenery. Junior Caroline Pali serves as the lighting designer. Junior Dalila Bogdan serves as the sound designer. James Welch serves as the technical director. Senior Theresa Stafford serves as the stage manager. She is assisted by freshman Ethan Korvne.
Firestone Theatre is the award-winning play-production component of the Akron School for the Arts housed at Firestone High School. Firestone Theatre was named an “Outstanding School” by the Educational Theatre Association in 2013. The curricular track of Firestone Theatre is accessible to all rising ninth-grade students via open enrollment and a formal audition.