Lincoln Center Theater's Intimate Apparel Opera Adds Dianne McIntyre as Choreographer

Emmy nominee Dianne McIntyre has taken over as choreographer on the upcoming opera adaptation of Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel. McIntyre replaces the previously announced Tony nominee Camille A. Brown, who has exited the production due to scheduling conflicts.

McIntyre is a legendary veteran choreographer whose career has included theater and film work. Her stage credits include Broadway's Mule Bone, Paul Robeson and King Hedley II and off-Broadway's The Great Macdaddy and Spell #7. She earned an Emmy nomination for her choreography of the 1997 TV movie Miss Evers' Boys.

Featuring a book by Nottage and music by Ricky Ian Gordon, Intimate Apparel tells the story of Esther, a lonely, single African-American woman in 1905 New York City who makes her living sewing beautiful corsets and ladies' undergarments. Seeking love and romance, Esther embarks on a letter-writing relationship with a mysterious suitor laboring on the Panama Canal and realizes that only her self-reliance and certainty of her own worth will see her through life's challenges.

The opera's principal cast will include Kearstin Piper Brown as Esther, Adrienne Danrich as Mrs. Dickson, Justin Austin as George Armstrong, Naomi Louisa O'Connell as Mrs. Van Buren, Arnold Livingston Geis as Mr. Marks and Krysty Swann as Mayme. Chabrelle Williams will play the role of Esther at Wednesday and Saturday matinee performances.

Tony winner Bartlett Sher will direct the off-Broadway production, slated to begin previews on February 27 and open on March 23 at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.