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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

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

News


OUR TOWN to Honor Veterans in November in Partnership with TDF

The current Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, is launching a partnership with TDF’s Veterans Theatregoing Program. Learn more!
Broadway Stage and Screen- A Fall 2024 Watch Guide

A new Broadway season has arrived at last, full of exciting new shows and revivals of beloved classics. While many of them are original concepts or based on plays, 7 are already films that you can watch from home.
Broadway Buying Guide: October 21, 2024- SUNSET BOULEVARD Storms Back to Broadway

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, October 21, 2024.
Photos: CAA's Joe Machota Receives Portrait at Sardi's

Head of CAA’s theater department Joe Machota recently received his portrait at Sardi's and BroadwayWorld was there to celebrate. Check out photos here!
Dianne Dixon Joins American Premiere Of GOODBYE, DOCTOR

Dianne Dixon joins the American premiere of GOODBYE, DOCTOR, a psychological drama by Betty Milan, directed by Debora Baladini. The play runs at A.R.T./New York Theatres from October 24 to November 3.
Video: Katie Holmes, Jim Parsons & More OUR TOWN Cast Members on the Red Carpet

BroadwayWorld was on the red carpet for the opening night of Our Town, starring Katie Holmes, Jim Parsons and more! See what the cast members had to say about the opening of the show, and learn more about the production!
Photos: Cast of OUR TOWN Celebrates TOM LAKE Author Ann Patchett

On Sunday, October 13, New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett attended a production and met with the cast of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town at the Barrymore Theatre. See photos!
Video: Zoey Deutch Discusses Longtime Dream of Performing OUR TOWN

Zoey Deutch visited CBS Mornings to discuss making her Bradway debut in the new production of Thornton Wilder's Out Town, which is currently playing at the Barrymore Theatre. Watch the interview now!
Broadway Buying Guide: October 14, 2024- OUR TOWN, GYPSY, and More

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, October 14, 2024.
Photos: Stars Arrive for OUR TOWN Opening Night on Broadway

Stars came out for the opening of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, on Thursday, October 10 at the Barrymore Theatre. Check out photos of Nina Dobrev, Shaun White, Kaitlyn Dever, Michael Kors, Raul Esparza, Cynthia Nixon and more as they arrive on the red carpet here!
Photos: OUR TOWN Cast & Creative Team Walk the Red Carpet on Opening Night

Check out photos of Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes, and more on the opening night red carpet of Our Town on Broadway. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets here.
Video: Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes & More in OUR TOWN

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, directed by Tony Award-winner Kenny Leon, opened on Thursday, October 10 at the Barrymore Theatre where the production is running for a strictly limited engagement. Get a first look at footage from the production here! 
Photos: Inside OUR TOWN Opening Night Curtain Call

Check out photos from the opening night curtain call of Our Town on Broadway, starring Jim Parsons, Katie Holmes and more. Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Is Grover's Corners a Real Place?

Wilder might have written about what would become one of the most famous small towns described in literature, but in fact, fans of the play will never be able to visit Grover's Corners because it is entirely fictional.
Review Roundup: OUR TOWN On Broadway Starring Jim Parsons & More

Kenny Leon's production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town is now officially open on Broadway and the critics have had their say and we've rounded them up. Read all the reviews for the production, which marks the first major Broadway revival of the classic play in nearly 25 years.
Alliance Theatre Reveals New BOLD Leadership Positions

Alliance Theatre in Atlanta unveiled two new BOLD leadership positions, aiming to enhance its commitment to innovative programming and community engagement. Learn more about the promotions and about the company!
Michael Longoria To Make 54 Below Solo Debut With A VERY BROADWAY KIND OF CHRISTMAS

Michael Longoria, known for his role in JERSEY BOYS, will make his solo debut at 54 Below with 'A Very Broadway Kind Of Christmas,' featuring holiday classics and Broadway hits. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Video: Jim Parsons Talks Building Community With OUR TOWN Cast

Jim Parsons is sharing his experience with the new revival of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. Parsons plays the Stage Manager in the production, a role he says was an immediate 'yes' when it was offered to him. Watch his interview on the Today Show now!
Photos: Stars Walk the Red Carpet for Opening Night of YELLOW FACE

The stars aligned at the Todd Haimes Theatre to celebrate opening night of Roundabout Theatre Company's new production of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang. BroadwayWorld was there to capture all of the stars and VIP guests.
Jim Parsons, Kenny Leon & More to Join OUR TOWN Event at Symphony Space

A special literary event, Ann Patchett & Our Town, featuring Jim Parsons, Kenny Leon and more from the Broadway company of Our Town, will take place at Symphony Space. The event will celebrate the synergy between New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett's novel Tom Lake and Our Town. Learn how to attend.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Kenny Leon been nominated for?

Kenny Leon has received several nominations for his outstanding work in theater. He was nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for Purlie Victorious. He also received nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Purlie Victorious, as well as for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for the same production. Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama League Awards and Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Topdog/Underdog. Leon earned the Directing Award at the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing and was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Soldier's Play. He received nominations for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for both A Soldier's Play and A Raisin in the Sun. He also won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards. His work on Fences garnered him another nomination for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards. Furthermore, he was nominated for Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for Tambourines to Glory and for Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for Blues in the Night.

What awards has Kenny Leon won?

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

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