Photo Flash: First Look at Billy Porter's WHILE I YET LIVE, Starring Lillias White, S. Epatha Merkerson & More

Primary Stages in association with Susan Dietz, presents the world premiere of While I Yet Live by the Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots and Angels in America, Billy Porter, and directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller. While I Yet Live plays a limited, six-week engagement, now through October 31 at Primary Stages at The Duke on 42nd Street - a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street). Opening night is Sunday, October 12 at 5PM. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

This new work about a young man's coming of age in Pittsburgh amongst a bevy of fascinating and strong-willed women features Elain Graham (The Picture Box, "Smash"), Sheria Irving (Romeo & Juliet, Ethel Sings), Emmy Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba; "Law & Order"), Kevyn Morrow (Ragtime - Olivier nominee; Dreamgirls), Larry Powell(Broke-ology, The Christians), Sharon Washington (The Scottsboro Boys, Wild With Happy), and Tony Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Fela!).

"This play is a love letter to my mother, my sister, and the women who raised me," says Porter. "Reflecting on my own life experience as a gay, black, Christian man, and survivor of abuse, I wanted to write a play that was about family, faith and the healing power of forgiveness, three things very necessary to move forward and make change in your life. Change is possible, but it takes patience."

While I Yet Live features a set design by James Noone, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Leon Rothenberg, original music by Jerome Kirkland, Jr., music supervision by James Sampliner, and casting by Stephanie Klapper Casting.

Photos by James Leynse