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Kenny Leon

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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.

Photos

Productions

The Balusters
 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
Amal and the Night Visitors
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Director
This World of Tomorrow
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Director
OthelloOthello
 
[Broadway, 2025]
Director
Our TownOur Town
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
HomeHome
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
Purlie VictoriousPurlie Victorious
 
[Broadway, 2023]
Director
HamletHamlet
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
King JamesKing James
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play
 
[US Tour, 2022]
Director
Ohio State MurdersOhio State Murders
 
[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
Topdog/UnderdogTopdog/Underdog
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
A Soldier's PlayA Soldier's Play
 
[Broadway, 2020]
Director
The Underlying ChrisThe Underlying Chris
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
Much Ado About NothingMuch Ado About Nothing
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
American SonAmerican Son
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Director
Children of a Lesser GodChildren of a Lesser God
 
[Broadway, 2018]
Director
Our TownOur Town
 
[Regional (US), 2017]
Director
Hairspray Live!Hairspray Live!
 
[Motion Picture, 2016]
Director
Smart PeopleSmart People
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Director
The Wiz Live!The Wiz Live!
 
[New York, 2015]
Director
Holler If Ya Hear MeHoller If Ya Hear Me
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Director
A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun
 
[Broadway, 2014]
Director
Stick FlyStick Fly
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Director
The MountaintopThe Mountaintop
 
[Broadway, 2011]
Director
FencesFences
 
[Broadway, 2010]
Director
Radio GolfRadio Golf
 
[Broadway, 2007]
Director
Emergence-SEE!
 
[Off-Broadway, 2006]
Director
Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope
 
[Washington, DC (Regional), 2005]
Director
Gem of the OceanGem of the Ocean
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Director
A Raisin in the SunA Raisin in the Sun
 
[Broadway, 2004]
Director
Everybody's Ruby
 
[Off-Broadway, 1999]
Director

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

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

Videos

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News


Winners Announced For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards Photo
Winners Announced For The 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards
by BWW Awards - Jan 8, 2026

Winners have been announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! The 2025 Regional Awards honor regional productions, touring shows, and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025.
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances Photo
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 4, 2026

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2026 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars! Be sure to check back for updates. We have all of the details!
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; City Springs Leads Fav Photo
Final Weeks to Vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards; City Springs Leads Favorite Theatre!
by BWW Awards - Dec 22, 2025

We're in the final weeks to vote for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
Review: Before There Was Charlie Brown, There Was Menotti’s AMAHL, now at Lincoln C Photo
Review: Before There Was Charlie Brown, There Was Menotti’s AMAHL, now at Lincoln Center Theater
by Richard Sasanow - Dec 21, 2025

Lincoln Center Theater’s new Kenny Leon production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS, presented in association with the Metropolitan Opera, is hardly “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “The Nutcracker.” Yet it manages to give us faith, hope and charity at a time we could all use more than a little of it, though there doesn’t seem to be much of a nod by director Leon to the setting of “The Present” mentioned in the Playbill.
Photos: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Opens at Lincoln Center Theater Photo
Photos: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Opens at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 19, 2025

The holiday family opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors opened at Lincoln Center Theater. See photos from opening night here! On hand to celebrate the occasion were Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, and more.
Photos and Video: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISI Photo
Photos and Video: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 18, 2025

You can now get a first look at photos and videos of Lincoln Center Theater's production of the beloved family opera Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater.
Photos: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Rehea Photo
Photos: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Rehearsals
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2025

Rehearsals have begun for Lincoln Center Theater's brand-new production of the beloved family opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, the first seasonal family offering in LCT history. See rehearsal photos!
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards Photo
Latest Standings Announced for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards
by BWW Awards - Dec 8, 2025

The latest standings have been released for the 2025 BroadwayWorld Atlanta Awards! Voting ends on 12/31/2025 at midnight. Don't miss out on making sure that your favorite theatres, stars, and shows get the recognition they deserve!
A 2025 Guide To New York City’s Under-the-Radar Holiday Highlights Photo
A 2025 Guide To New York City’s Under-the-Radar Holiday Highlights
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 3, 2025

New York City is home to a wide range of holiday attractions beyond its most famous seasonal destinations. From specialty pop-ups and historic venues to neighborhood light displays and winter markets, these hidden gems offer distinct ways to experience the city during December. Learn more about NYC's lesser-known locations and events across the five boroughs.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Kenny Leon been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama League Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, 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 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), Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences, Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Tambourines to Glory, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun and Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Blues in the Night.

What awards has Kenny Leon won?

Kenny Leon has won several prestigious awards, including the Obie Award for Directing for Much Ado About Nothing, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Play for A Soldier's Play, and the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for A Raisin in the Sun. Additionally, he received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play, also for A Raisin in the Sun.

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