Technical Issues Delay First Preview of Billy Porter's While I Yet Live Off-Broadway | Playbill

News Technical Issues Delay First Preview of Billy Porter's While I Yet Live Off-Broadway While I Yet Live, the world-premiere play from Tony Award-winning Kinky Boots star Billy Porter which was scheduled to begin Off-Broadway previews Sept. 23, has delayed the start of performances due to technical issues.

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Billy Porter Photo by Monica Simoes

Primary Stages announced Sept. 22 that an additional day of technical rehearsals would be needed for the new play that is directed by Tony Award nominee Sheryl Kaller (Mothers and Sons, Next Fall, Adrift in Macao). Previews will now begin Sept. 24 at 7 PM. Opening night remains Oct. 12 at the Duke on 42nd Street. The run is currently scheduled through Oct. 31.

The Off-Broadway production is presented in association with Susan Dietz (Fela!, Mothers and Sons).

Porter earned the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in Kinky Boots. His Broadway appearances also include Miss Saigon, Five Guys Named Moe, Grease, Smokey Joe's Café and Dreamgirls.

"This play is a love letter to my mother, my sister, and the women who raised me," Porter said in a statement. "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."

The cast features Tony Award winner Lillias White (The Life, Fela!), Emmy Award winner S. Epatha Merkerson (Come Back, Little Sheba; "Law & Order"), Elain Graham (The Picture Box, "Smash"), Sheria Irving (Romeo & Juliet, Ethel Sings), Kevyn Morrow (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dreamgirls), Sharon Washington (The Scottsboro Boys, Wild With Happy) and Larry Powell (Broke-ology, Dutchman). The production has scenic design by James Noone, costume design by ESosa, lighting design by Kevin Adams, sound design by Leon Rothenberg and casting by Stephanie Klapper Casting.

Visit primarystages.org.

Lillias White, S. Epatha Merkerson and the Cast of Billy Porter's While I Yet Live Meet the Press

 
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