Great Performances

-Next on "Great Performances," a new opera adaptation of Lynn Nottage's Pulitzer-Prize-winning play "Intimate Apparel" from Lincoln Center Theater.

In 1905 New York, Esther makes her living sewing ladies' undergarments for a wide range of clients, but she dreams of more.

- What do you want, Esther Don't be proud - I'm a beautician Running a parlor... -35 and unmarried, romance seems out of reach until Esther begins exchanging letters with a Panama Canal laborer named George Armstrong.

When George arrives, he sets in motion a complex love story and Esther's personal journey of self-realization.

- 'Cause no one does it for us -Directed by Tony-award winner Bartlett Sher and featuring a libretto by Lynn Nottage and score by Ricky Ian Gordon, "Intimate Apparel" is next.

- No one does it for us Major funding for "Great Performances" is provided by... ...and by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

- Step lively!

Twirl!

Parade!

- Step lively - Walk proudly!

Promenade!

- Walk proudly - Strut blithely!

Head held high!

Sweep, kick, twirl, smile, cakewalk, style!

- There you are - Yes, sir - Corinna Mae -[ Laughing ] -[ Giggling ] - A man in Panama writin' me - My heart - Lovely Beautiful I do want it - Lover Nice and easy Lover Please me Oh, daddy, daddy, come please me - Oh, daddy, daddy, come please me - Don't wanna touch the groun' - Oh, daddy, daddy, come please me - Take a seat, take a seat Take a seat, take a seat Take good care of you - But a lavender robe - Splendid avenues - Dear George - Dear George - Dear George - I love you - Look what love done to me - Mmm-mmm - Mmm-mmm [ Both laugh ] - It was made for you - Tell me, can there be a more glorious day?

Tell me, can there be a more glorious day?

Tell me, can there be a more glorious day?

Tell me, can there be a more glorious day?

Glorious day [ Camera shutter clicks ] [ Applause ] - Mm-hmm-hmm Mm-hmm-hmm Shh - Mm-hmm-hmm - Mm-hmm-hmm - I come here so the story will be different - So the story will be different - I come here - I come here - So the story will be different - So the story will be different - I come here - I come here - So the story will be different - So the story will be different - I come here - I come here - So the story will be different - So the story will be different - I come here - I come here - So the story will be different - So the story will be different - I come here - I come here - So the story will be different - So the story will be different - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - George - Next time - No George -[ Humming ] So soft - So soft - So soft - Ah, perfect -[ Humming ] - You love someone - I fear I love someone Didn't know until now That I love someone Yes, I love someone Don't wanna touch the groun' - Hush - The Armstrongs - The Armstrongs - Thanked me [ Laughter ] [ Indistinct conversations ] -Oh!

-Here, boy.

[ Cheering ] -Let it ride!

Come on!

-No!

No, no.

No!

No.

[ Knock on door ] - Until it all gone [ Knock on door ] [ Knock on door ] - Let him go [ Knock on door ] - George [ Sobbing ] -[ Yells indistinctly ] - Let him go Let him go -[ Humming ] Wait -[ Vocalizing ] -[ Clears throat ] [ Applause ] [ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] -To find out more, visit... Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

[ Cheers and applause continue ] [ Cheers and applause continue ]