Pictured, top row, left to right: Millee Holliday, Jason Berner, Abel Habtegeorgis, AnJu Hyppolite and Rebecca Grayce; bottom row: Director Dan Clark and Chelsea Bearce. “Intimate Apparel” continues through May 13. (Photo by Messina Photography)

Benicia Old Town Theatre Group (BOTTG) marked the opening of its current production, Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Intimate Apparel,” with an impressive, catered gala at the historic B.D.E.S. Hall on West J Street Friday. The play’s set, a melange of scenes from Teddy Roosevelt-era New York City, extended into the first rows of the audience, as some BOTTG members and guests came attired in period finery.
The play examines the life of Esther Mills (Chelsea Bearce), a poor, middle-aged seamstress in 1900s New York City who works out of a boarding house run by the affectionate but somewhat domineering Mrs. Dickson (Millee Holliday). Esther is dismissive of her landlady’s encouragement to pursue a potential husband, but once she begins receiving romantic letters from a Panamanian laborer in search of a bride, she falls headlong into the daring prospect.
Bearce offers a sensitive portrayal of shy, self-deprecating Esther. The dressmaker’s Puritan work ethic, and her shame surrounding the subject of physical intimacy, come through in her intimate conversations with Mrs. Dickson, her open-minded white-lady client (Rebecca Grayce as Mrs. Van Buren) and her libidinous gal pal Mayme (AnJu Hyppolite). The tragic aspect of Esther’s circumstances, though, both before and after her union with George Armstrong (Abel Habtegeorgis), is regrettably muted in the Benicia production.
Habtegeorgis is powerful in his portrayal of Esther’s passionate suitor. A graduate from San Jose State’s STEP acting program, Habtegeorgis stands out as a serious actor with professional polish. In his solo delivery from the canal site and in his later interaction with the object of his dreams, Habtegeorgis exudes confidence, anguish and determination in turn.
Jason Berner also lends a stand-out performance as Mr. Marks, a Jewish textile merchant who provides materials – and restrained overtures – to his shy and lonely client. Marks’ faith won’t allow him to actively pursue the object of his desire, since a marriage has already been arranged for him by his family abroad. In fact, the man reflexively shrinks from Esther’s touch – but he can’t help displaying a special affection for Esther and even an unrelenting sexual attraction to her.
Bearce in turn clearly portrays through her expressions and body language Esther’s mutual longing in the merchant’s presence. Scenes together with Berner successfully convey the tense emotion of the moments when they are together. Interactions between Esther and her Panamanian suitor (Habtegeorgis) are largely dispassionate by comparison.
Grayce shines as a bright light in the dark tale, bringing levity and charm to the role of Esther’s high-society client Mrs. Van Buren. She and Hyppolite (Mayme) bring almost comic relief to the tragic picture of human longing with apparent ease. The intimate apparel of Esther’s sewing specialty highlights the sexual aspect of the tale, which otherwise shies from delving very deeply into the intimate relationships they enhance. (The exquisite corsets were designed and sewn by Benicia resident Carol Berman.)
In all, the Benicia troupe delivers Nottage’s portrait of unrequited love in old New York with sensitivity and care. A clever set allows for seamless transition among scenes, and set and costume design enhance the action beautifully. You won’t want to miss this impressive effort by Benicia’s own, dedicated and award-winning theater company.

If You Go
“Intimate Apparel” continues at the historic B.D.E.S. Hall at 140 West J St. through May 13. Tickets are $20 to $22 and are available online at beniciaoldtowntheatregroup.com or by calling 746-1269.

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