Talent: Samantha Williams. Creative Directed and Photographer: Nicole Wilson.
Award-winning photographer and creative director Nicole Wilson brings her signature style to this exclusive Harper’s Bazaar editorial. She captures Samantha “Sammie” Williams as Mabel Stanley, star of Roundabout Theatre Company’s new Pirates! The Penzance Musical.
Dress, Akira. Shoes, SJP. Jewelry, David Yuman.
Nicole’s striking work often appears in VOGUE, Harper’s BAZAAR, PEOPLE, Forbes, GQ, Entertainment Weekly, ELLE, The Hollywood Reporter, Playbill, and more. For this shoot, she created a visual story that celebrates the romantic spirit of Pirates! while adding a bold, high-fashion twist.
Through Nicole’s lens, Sammie Williams transforms into a Pirate Queen (while she plays one of the Modern Major General’s daughters in the show.) Here she is reimagined as powerful, elegant, playful, and utterly modern – perfectly mirroring the production’s fresh take on a beloved classic.
Dress, Akira. Shoes, SJP. Jewelry, David Yuman.
A fresh take on Pirates!
Roundabout Theatre Company’s Pirates! The Penzance Musical is a spirited reimagining of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, set this time in the vibrant world of 19th-century New Orleans. Directed by Scott Ellis, with vibrant new orchestrations by Joseph Joubert and Daryl Waters, the production infuses the familiar score with jazz, blues, ragtime, and Caribbean influences—offering audiences a lush, celebratory experience.
Tulle skirt, Nadia Manjarrez. Corset, Akira.
At the center of this reimagined world is Samantha Williams’ Mabel, a heroine and ingenue with both innocence and fire, whose performance has been widely praised for its warmth and vocal brilliance. Williams, a rising star of the Broadway stage, first captured attention in Caroline, or Change and Dear Evan Hansen, and now steps into a leading role that feels tailor-made for her artistry. She has described this role as a perfect opportunity to lean into her Afro-Caribbean heritage and bring authenticity and nuance to one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s most iconic characters.
Tulle skirt, Nadia Manjarrez. Corset, Akira.
Nicole Wilson’s vision
For this shoot, Wilson’s approach was to elevate the romanticism and adventurous spirit of Pirates! while merging it seamlessly with contemporary high fashion editorial style. Every image is suffused with Wilson’s trademark cinematic quality: intimate yet grand, delicate yet striking. Sammie is depicted as a modern Mabel—equal parts ingénue and icon—with styling and poses that reflect a woman who is both rooted in tradition and entirely of-the-moment.
Wilson’s editorial mastery ensures that each frame tells a story, inviting viewers to step into this intoxicating world of romance, adventure, and style.
A stellar company
Sharing the stage with Williams is an extraordinary cast, whose Broadway credentials add star power and depth to the production:
Ramin Karimloo (The Pirate King), the Tony-nominated star of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, brings charisma, bravado, and soaring vocals to his swashbuckling role.
Pink Dress, Sareh Nouri. Shoes, SJP.
Jinkx Monsoon (Ruth), beloved two-time winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, delights audiences with her irreverent humor and magnetic stage presence. She’ll next be seen leading the Tony Winning production of “OH, MARY!”
David Hyde Pierce (Major General Stanley), the Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor known for Frasier, anchors the production with his impeccable comic timing and musical wit.
Pink Dress, Sareh Nouri. Shoes, SJP.
Their collective talent has helped make Pirates! The Penzance Musical one of Broadway’s must-see events this season.
Pink Dress, Sareh Nouri. Shoes, SJP.
Capturing a moment in time
This Harper’s Bazaar feature not only celebrates the artistry of Sammie Williams but also serves as a testament to Nicole Wilson’s ability to craft visual narratives that transcend genre and medium. Together, they encapsulate the spirit of this reimagined Pirates!: romantic, rebellious, fashion-forward, and deeply rooted in theatrical tradition.
Peach dress, Seni & Cade. Shoes, SJP.
As the show continues its acclaimed run at the Todd Haimes Theatre through July 27, audiences and readers alike are invited to revel in this dazzling collision of Broadway magic and fashion artistry.
Peach dress, Seni & Cade. Shoes, SJP.
Creative Director: Nicole Wilson @nicolewilsonphoto @nicolewilsonnyc
Photographer: Nicole Wilson @nicolewilsonPhoto @nicolewilsonnyc
Talent: Samantha Williams @sawmie
Wardrobe Stylist: Antonio Consuegra @theglambearstylist
Makeup Artist: Taylor Levitan (Taylor Rose Beauty) @tayonmyface
Hair Stylist: Mariah Molina @hairbymariah11
Photographer’s Assistant: Ben-Jethro Pierre @benjethropierre
Retoucher: Olya Kay + Lesya
Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam
