Kenny Leon News

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 43rd Season with the West Coast premiere of black odyssey, a thrilling and music-infused new play that mashes up Greek mythology and African-American folklore. black odyssey marks the Cal Shakes debut of Oakland native Marcus Gardley (The House That Will Not Stand at Berkeley Rep), and is only the second production ever of the play, which is being re-set in Oakland for Cal Shakes. Directed by Cal Shakes Artistic Director Eric Ting, fresh from directing Berkeley Rep's smash hit An Octoroon, the production will also feature vocal compositions by Linda Tillery and Molly Holm.

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company presents the Atlanta premiere of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winning dramedy, Between Riverside and Crazy written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Eric J. Little.

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company announce the departure of Executive Director Jennifer Dwyer McEwen after more than nine years with the company. McEwen submitted her resignation in May after accepting a new role with the Town of Hilton Head as its new Culture and Arts Network Director.

Second Stage Theater has announced that Obie and Drama Desk Award winner LILA NEUGEBAUER will direct the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE, in June of 2018 at the Tony Kiser Theatre.

Mark Medoff's Tony-winning play CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD centers around a state school for the deaf in the 1970's and follows several interwoven faculty/student storylines. While the excitement builds once we learn where Medoff has placed his characters at the top, it's a quick deflation to see he's decided not to dive deeper into any of the interesting dynamics. Instead, his play is more about a relationship with poor communication skills than a focus on the deaf community's struggle to assimilate into the hearing community.

Second Stage Theater has announced that Mercedes Ruehl, winner of the Tony Award, Academy Award, and Golden Globe Award, will star opposite the previously announced Michael Urie in the upcoming production of Harvey Fierstein's modern classic, Torch Song, directed by Moises Kaufman.

Berkshire Theatre Group announces the final production of its upcoming 2017 Summer Season will be Mark Medoff's Tony, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award-winning play, Children of a Lesser God, which began performances on Thursday, June 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage. Opening night is set for tonight, June 24 at 8pm.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! This weekend's big news: Vassar & New York Stage and Film kicks off its star-studded 2017 Powerhouse season!

Berkshire Theatre Group presents the Tony Award-winning Children of a Lesser God, directed by Tony Award-winner, Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun). Children of a Lesser God runs from June 22 through July 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge, MA. Opening night is set for Saturday, June 24 at 8pm.     

Berkshire Theatre Group presents the Tony Award-winning Children of a Lesser God, directed by Tony Award-winner, Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun). Children of a Lesser God runs from June 22 through July 22 at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage in Stockbridge, MA. Opening night is set for Saturday, June 24 at 8pm.     

Among the potential EMMY nominees this year may be HAIRSPRAY LIVE! standouts Kristin Chenoweth, who took on the role of Velma Von Tussle in the NBC live broadcast, and Jennifer Hudson, who portrayed Motormouth Maybelle.

The stars and creative team of 'HAIRSPRAY LIVE!' reunited for a panel discussion and special performances on Friday, June 9, 2017 at the Saban Media Center at the Television Academy, North Hollywood.

Jennifer Hudson is once again taking the world by storm as she blows the roof off of venues with her rendition of 'I Know Where I've Been,' which she first performed as part of NBC's 'Hairspray Live!' This time she took the stage at an FYC event at the Television Academy, check out the video below!

Second Stage Theater's (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) production of SOMEBODY'S DAUGHTER has been extended by one week and will now play through Sunday, June 25.

Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre have announced Jamil Jude will be joining True Colors Theatre Company in the position of Associate Artistic Director starting in September 2017.

Just a few months ago, Kristin Chenoweth was complaining about the new girl and singing about her time as Miss Baltimore Crabs as Velma Von Tussle in NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! Now she has joined producer Neil Meron to reminisce about the experience with BroadwayWorld and SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Check out the full interview below!

Second Stage Theater, the preeminent home for American plays and living American playwrights, has announced that Kevin Brockman, Executive Vice President, Global Communications, Disney/ABC Television Group, has joined the company's Board of Directors.

LA's Center Theatre Group celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a plethora of performance stars including Jennifer Hudson who took the stage at the gala event and performed one of her most show-stopping numbers from Hairspray Live, 'I Know Where I've Been.'

Jennifer Hudson recently sat down with GoldDerby to have a conversation about what it was like taking on the iconic role of Motormouth Maybelle in NBC's Hairspray Live. Hudson describes the role as deeply empowering and very relevant to times today. She also touches on the difficulties in taking on a role that so many greats have played before her and how she brought her own experiences into the character. Check out the full interview for more.

The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, National New Play Network, The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, and Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation jointly announce the selection of five directors from a nationwide pool of applicants for the 2017 National Directors Fellowship: Sherri Eden Barber