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Kenny Leon

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Kenny Leon BIO

Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning Broadway and television director. His Broadway credits include the Tupac musical Holler If You Hear Me, A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Stick Fly, August Wilson’s Fences (which garnered ten Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play), Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. He also directed Smart People for Second Stage. Leon's recent television work includes "Hairspray Live!", and "The Wiz Live!" on NBC. He is the recipient of the 2016 Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing and the 2010 Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League. Mr. Leon serves on the board of New York's Public Theater and is Artistic Director of Atlanta's Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company.

Kenny Leon Photos

Kenny Leon Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
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[Broadway, 2024]
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[Broadway, 2024]
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[Broadway, 2023]
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[Off-Broadway, 2023]
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[Off-Broadway, 2023]
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[US Tour, 2022]
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[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
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[Broadway, 2022]
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[Broadway, 2020]
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[Off-Broadway, 2019]
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[Off-Broadway, 2019] [Replacement]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[Regional (US), 2017]
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[Motion Picture, 2016]
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[Off-Broadway, 2016]
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[New York, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2011]
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[Broadway, 2011]
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[Broadway, 2010]
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[Broadway, 2007]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Washington, DC (Regional), 2005]
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[Broadway, 2004]
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[Broadway, 2004]
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[Off-Broadway, 1999]
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Kenny Leon Awards and Nominations

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Obie Awards - 2020 - Directing Award

Kenny Leon, Much Ado About Nothing


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Drama League Awards - 2010 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Kenny Leon

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Fences

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Kenny LeonTambourines to Glory


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Director - Play

Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Kenny LeonBlues in the Night

Kenny Leon Videos

Kenny Leon News


MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, CABARET & More Lead in Nominations for 2024 Drama League Awards


Read the full list of 2024 Drama League Nominations! Nominations include Cabaret, Merrily We Roll Along and more.

Keen Company to Present DIRECTORFEST in May At Theatre Row


Discover the talents of two emerging directors as Keen Company collaborates with The Drama League for DIRECTORFEST at Theatre Row. Learn more!

Photos: Go inside The Entertainment Community Fund's 2024 Gala


Last night at the Entertainment Community Fund, (formerly The Actors Fund) gala, they announced the $160 million ESSENTIAL Campaign: a bold and comprehensive effort that will combine all of the organization’s fundraising, allowing the Fund to serve more people in more places.

Entertainment Community Fund Launches $160 Million ESSENTIAL Campaign


Entertainment Community Fund is launching the $160 million ESSENTIAL Campaign, combining all of the organization’s fundraising, allowing the Fund to serve more people in more places. Learn more!

Broadway Buying Guide: April 8, 2024- HAMILTON Rises to the Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 8, 2024.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 4, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 4, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes and More Will Lead Kenny Leon's OUR TOWN Revival


Grover's Corners, here they come! The new Broadway production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, just announced that the play will feature 28 actors. We have all of the details!

Broadway Buying Guide: April 1, 2024- MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG Rolls to the Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, April 1, 2024.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 1, 2024


Happy April Fools' Day, BroadwayWorld! It is April 1, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Tory Kittles, Brittany Inge & Stori Ayers to Star in HOME on Broadway


Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the complete cast for the new production of Home by Samm-Art Williams, not seen on Broadway in more than 40 years, directed by Kenny Leon. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Meet the Cast of CABARET AT THE KIT KAT CLUB, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


The Kit Kat Club is now open! Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, starring Academy Award and Tony Award winner Eddie Redmayne and introducing Gayle Rankin, begins previews tonight, April 1, at the August Wilson Theatre. Meet the cast of Cabaret here!

Meet the Cast of PATRIOTS, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway


The Almeida Theatre production of Patriots officially begins previews on Broadway tonight, April 1. Meet the cast of Patriots here!

Meet the Cast of HELL'S KITCHEN, Beginning Previews on Broadway Tonight!


Hell's Kitchen, the new musical conceived by Alicia Keys, begins previews tonight, March 28, with an opening night set for Saturday, April 20 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre. Meet the cast of Hell's Kitchen here!

Broadway Buying Guide: March 25, 2024- HADESTOWN Is (Livin' it Up) on Top


Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, March 25, 2024.

Next Narrative Monologue Competition Reveals Regional Winners


On Monday, March 18, 2024, Milwaukee Repertory Theater held the 2024 regionals for the Next Narrative Monologue Competition. Learn more about the competition and the winners.

Suzan-Lori Parks' SALLY & TOM to Begin Performances at The Public Theater Next Week


The Public Theater will begin previews for the New York premiere of SALLY & TOM, a bold new dramedy written by Pulitzer Prize winner and Public Theater Writer-in-Residence Suzan-Lori Parks. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Go Inside Theatre Communications Group's 2024 Gala


Theatre Communications Group presented its 2024 TCG Gala: Our Stories at The Edison Ballroom. The Gala featured performances from PigPen Theatre Co., Nichelle Lewis, Judine Somerville, Tracee Beazer, Jacqueline Arnold and Aisha Jackson. Check out photos from inside the big night!

Aisha Jackson, LaChanze & More to Take Part in 2024 TCG Gala: OUR STORIES


Theatre Communications Group has revealed the performers for the 2024 TCG Gala: Our Stories, which will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024, at The Edison Ballroom. See who is taking part and learn how to purchase tickets.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 7, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 7, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Denzel Washington & Jake Gyllenhaal on Stage


Shakespeare will be back on Broadway in 2025 when Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal lead Othello, directed by Kenny Leon. Recap stage highlights from both of the stars in these videos!

Kenny Leon FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Kenny Leon been nominated for?

Kenny Leon has been nominated for several awards including Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama League Awards for Topdog/Underdog, Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Topdog/Underdog, a Directing Award at the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing, Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Soldier's Play, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for A Soldier's Play, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for Fences, Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for Tambourines to Glory, Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, and Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for Blues in the Night.

What awards has Kenny Leon won?

Kenny Leon has won the Directing Award (Obie Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Soldier's Play, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), and Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun.

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