Photo Flash: First Look at Nikki E. Walker and More in Westport Country Playhouse's INTIMATE APPAREL

Westport Country Playhouse stages Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage's "Intimate Apparel," a love story that confronts race and religion, directed by Mary B. Robinson, now through November 1. "Intimate Apparel" is the recipient of the American Theatre Critics and New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards for Best Play. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

"Intimate Apparel" weaves an intricate tapestry of the joys, sorrows, tragedy, and triumph of Esther, a gifted but lonely African-American seamstress in early twentieth century Manhattan as she negotiates the choice between a love that is accepted and one that is true.

Playing the central role of Esther will be Nikki E. Walker. She was in Broadway's "An American Plan," "Trickle," and "Building a Popera," with regional credits including "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Intimate Apparel." On television, she is in "Orange Is the New Black."

Leighton Bryan will portray Mrs. Van Buren, Esther's wealthy client, who is unhappy in a loveless marriage. Bryan was on Broadway in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," and appeared on television's "Boardwalk Empire" and "Blue Bloods." Isaiah Johnson will play George, a worker on the Panama Canal, who woos Esther by mail. He was on Broadway in the original cast of "Peter and the Starcatcher," and "The Merchant of Venice," and currently appears on television's "The Knick."

Aleta Mitchell, as Mrs. Dickson, proprietor of a boarding house for unmarried women where Esther resides, was last seen at Westport Country Playhouse in "The Member of the Wedding," and was in the original cast of Broadway's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Tommy Schrider, as Mr. Marks, an Orthodox Jewish textile merchant who shares a mutual attraction with Esther, was in Westport Country Playhouse's "Journey's End," Broadway's "War Horse," and has a recurring role on television's "The Americans." Heather Alicia Simms will portray Mayme, Esther's best friend and a prostitute. She was in Broadway's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," "A Raisin in the Sun, "Gem of the Ocean," and "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike."

The design team includes Allen Moyer, scenic design; Michael Krass, costume design; Eric Southern, lighting design; and Fitz Patton, sound design.

For tickets and more information, visit westportplayhouse.org or call the Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

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