Kenny Leon News

n's True Colors Theatre presents the first community conversation of its 2016-2017 season on combating the mental health stigma in the African American Community. The conversation reflects on themes in True Colors' season opening production, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama "Proof," a play about mental illness and the family bond. 

Today, BWW participated in a live conference call with HAIRSPRAY LIVE! executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who are answering questions on the development of the highly anticipated live broadcast, the latest on the cast and crew, and the start of rehearsals on the Universal lot in California.

Under the gold dome, Governor Nathan Deal today recognized the state's best and brightest individuals and organizations with the presentation of the 2016 Governor's Awards for the Arts & Humanities. Aurora Theatre, Georgia's second largest professional theater, proudly accepted one of the five awards given to organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia's civic and cultural vitality through service to the humanities or excellence in the arts. Aurora was nominated by Doug Hooker, Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, and Bartow Morgan, Jr., CEO of BrandBank for its continued artistic excellence, immense impact on the region and its thriving educational programming that embraces cultural diversity in both the English and Spanish speaking communities.

n's True Colors Theatre presents the first community conversation of its 2016-2017 season on combating the mental health stigma in the African American Community. The conversation reflects on themes in True Colors' season opening production, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning drama "Proof," a play about mental illness and the family bond. 

Seattle Repertory Theatre presents its season opening production, A Raisin in the Sun, a classic Lorraine Hansberry's drama, directed by Timothy McCuen Piggee.

On Monday, October 17, at 6:30 PM, the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation will host the Restore Brooklyn Annual Benefit gala, honoring Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III, Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, Jay Walder and Jacqueline Berrien (posthumously).

On September 15th, NBC held a dance contest at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore to find one lucky dancer who will be part of the network's live telecast of HAIRPRAY LIVE! on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

BWW has just learned that funny man Billy Eichner has joined the cast of NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! as Rob Barker, the Baltimore TV newscaster who reports on Tracy Turnblad and her escape from prison in an attempt to integrate the “Corny Collins Show.”

Five-time Obie Award-winning theater company Clubbed Thumb has announced their second cohort of early-career directing fellows.

Last night, Maddie Baillio, who will take on the iconic role of Tracy Turnblad in NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE, met up with 'Hairspray' creator John Waters at a restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland.

Seattle Repertory Theatre today announced the full ensemble cast of its season opening production, A Raisin in the Sun, a classic Lorraine Hansberry's drama, directed by Timothy McCuen Piggee.

 The Suzi Bass Awards revealed nominations for the 2015-2016 Atlanta professional theatre season on Monday evening, September 12, to patrons and industry artists. The Suzi Nomination Party was generously hosted by the Alliance Theatre, at 6:30pm in The Circle Room, on the third floor, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309. 

As we saw throughout the two nights of the Creative Arts Emmys, theatrical programming and theatre performers have done very well taking home trophies so far this year. So, we wanted to take a look back at three of the biggest theatrical properties to come to television in the past year, as they prepare for the biggest awards to be announced on Sunday. 

NBC's holiday production of THE WIZ LIVE this year garnered six EMMY AWARD nominations. At tonight's Creative Emmy Awards ceremony, Paul Tazewell picked up the award for Outstanding Costumes For A Variety, Nonfiction Or Reality Program.

Derek Hough will take on the role of Corny Collins, the host of The Corny Collins Show in NBC's upcoming holiday broadcast of HAIRSPRAY LIVE. Today, NBC released a first look at the Dancing With the Stars pro in costume!

One lucky dancer will have a chance to take part in NBC's upcoming HAIRSPRAY LIVE. WBAL-TV 11 in Baltimore has announced an audition taking place at the city's Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore on September 15th.

Spelman College and True Colors Theatre Company have announced a conversation with Tony Award-winning Director Kenny Leon this evening, September 8, 2016, at 7:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Burroughs Theater at Spelman College.

Evelyn must follow her dreams ... by leaving her family. Come down for some hot times with THE JOINT at Theatre for The New City's Dream Up Festival this September.

This just in! Essence.com has just broken the news that HAIRSPRAY LIVE! has completed its all-star dream cast with not one, but two final cast members - direct from Broadway!

Connecticut has almost an embarrassment of riches when it comes to seasoned performers who settle here while still finding opportunities to act close to home as well as in New York and Hollywood. One of our favorite couples is Beau and Debbie Gravitte (nee Shapiro), who add so much professionally to venues such as The Ridgefield Playhouse. If you are not from Connecticut, you ought to understand that The Ridgefield Playhouse is one of those places that are very special to performers as well as audiences. It is not a glorified school auditorium, but a professional venue with seating up to 500 people for film, theatre, and concerts with appearances from nationally popular, award winning performers and directors. The Gravittes' unwavering commitment to the playhouse and to the Ridgefield area is remarkable.