Kenny Leon
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Six Degrees of Broadway
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Kenny Leon
Connection
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.
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Productions
See how Kenny Leon connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Awards and Nominations
Kenny Leon, The Balusters
Kenny Leon, The Balusters
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog
Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog
winner
Kenny Leon, Much Ado About Nothing
winner
Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play
Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play
winner
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
winner
Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon, Fences
Kenny LeonTambourines to Glory
winner
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
Kenny LeonBlues in the Night
Videos
Video: Anika Noni Rose Praises Diverse Perspectives in THE BALUSTERS: 'We Are Running the Gamut'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-28 16:07:20
Photos & Video: Santino Fontana, Jessie Mueller & More Lead LAMB OF GOD in Largest Staging Yet
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-03-31 13:00:58
Photos and Video: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-12-18 16:33:42
Video: Tom Hanks Discusses the Joys of Performing Live in THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-26 10:43:11
Video: Tom Hanks, Kelli O'Hara, & Kenny Leon Talk THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW on CBS MORNINGS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-18 12:39:49
Video: Renée Elise Goldsberry Talks Returning to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-17 17:13:01
Video: Tom Hanks Previews New Play THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW at The Shed
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-06 11:38:37
Video: Kecia Lewis Performs 'Right Hand Man / One Last Time' From HAMILTON at MISCAST25
by Michael Major - 2025-06-13 09:37:32
Video: OTHELLO Star Denzel Washington Praises the Entertainment Community Fund
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-04-25 19:01:46
Video: Jake Gyllenhaal Opens Up About Portraying Iago Opposite Denzel Washington
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-25 10:30:50
Video: Inside OTHELLO's Opening Night with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-24 15:31:54
Video: In Rehearsals for OTHELLO with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
by Joey Mervis - 2025-02-11 12:01:38
Video: Katie Holmes Surprises Zoey Deutch on GMA with OUR TOWN Question
by Josh Sharpe - 2024-12-09 12:34:37
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 13, 2026
Tony Award-winning director, producer, and industry leader Kenny Leon has been elected Chair of the American Theatre Wing's Board of Trustees. His work spans Broadway, regional theatres, television, and film.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2026
The world premiere of The Real Ivanov, Laura Strausfeld's 100-minute adaptation of Chekhov's Ivanov, starring Sam Underwood, will be presented at Manhattan's Lynn F. Angelson Theater.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 8, 2026
The Alliance Theatre has revealed the cast of its upcoming production of Purpose. Written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Keith Arthur Bolden, Purpose runs on The Coca-Cola Stage in August and September.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 29, 2026
The Entertainment Community Fund, formerly The Actors Fund, has revealed four new Board members, including one returning member, as well as new appointments to its Western Council and the Actors Fund Home Board of Trustees.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 25, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company is launching its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog. Ensemble members Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood star in the production.
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 23, 2026
Jimmy Award-winning student performers Jake James and Samia Posadas stopped by Good Morning America on Tuesday, following their respective wins during the ceremony on Monday evening. Watch the interview!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 22, 2026
Earlier tonight, the most talented teenagers from across the country took the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards, hosted by Bowen Yang. BroadwayWorld is excited to report that Jakae James and Samia Posadas have won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 20, 2026
116 of the most talented high schoolers in the country will take the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards. The 2026 ceremony will stream for free online through Thursday evening, June 25th. Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live, the Wicked movies) will host the 2026 ceremony. Watch as the nominees rehearse the opening number ahead of the big night in this video!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 18, 2026
The panel of judges for the 2026 Jimmy Awards is comprised of notable theatre professionals including Tony Award®-winning producers, prestigious casting experts, and industry leaders. Winners and finalists will be selected by Montego Glover, Kenny Leon, Joe Machota, Alecia Parker, Marc Platt, Tara Rubin, Thomas Schumacher, Bernard Telsey, and Lia Vollack. Preliminary judges who adjudicated and cast the nominees in the Character and Feature Groups included Kristian Charbonier, Stephanie Klapper, Sammy Lopez, Kevin Metzger-Timson, Dale Mott, T. Oliver Reid, and Rachel Sussman.
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 22, 2026
116 of the most talented high schoolers in the country will take the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 17th Annual Jimmy Awards. The 2026 ceremony will stream for free online through Thursday evening, June 25th. Tune in at 7:30pm ET to watch live!
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 21, 2026
Broadway says goodbye to three productions. Chess takes its final bow at the Imperial Theatre following 34 previews and 249 regular performances; The Balusters concludes its limited run at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre after 22 previews and 72 regular performances; and Celebrity Autobiography concludes its run at the Shubert Theatre after 3 previews and 39 regular performances. The theatres will soon be home to 860, School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play, and Galileo respectively.
by Stephi Wild - Jun 11, 2026
Tony Award winner Joshua Henry and Julia Harriman have conceived, co-written and will star in The Conversation, a new original musical. Learn more here!
by Jennifer Broski - Jun 9, 2026
The Public Theater kicked off another Shakespeare for the City season and Free Shakespeare in the Park at its 2026 Gala. Grammy Award winner and 2026 Tony winner Shoshana Bean headlined the special night, hosted at The Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2026
On June 3, the Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) hosted a special benefit celebration honoring Andrew Lloyd Webber and the acclaimed production of Cats: The Jellicle Ball. Check out photos from the event.
by Bruce Glikas - Jun 7, 2026
The stars are aligning at Rockefeller Center! That's where the best of Broadway comes together today to walk the red carpet ahead of the 79th Annual Tony Awards- the biggest celebration in the American theatre. BroadwayWorld of course will be on hand at Radio City Music Hall all night to keep you up to speed on what's going on onstage, backstage, and behind the scenes!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
Something's coming! The best of Broadway will take the stage Sunday night at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Need a refresher on how to watch and when? We've got you covered!
by Nicole Rosky - Jun 7, 2026
The best of Broadway takes the stage tonight at Radio City Music Hall for the 79th Annual Tony Awards, hosted by P!nk. Stay tuned all night ling for updates from inside the ceremony.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2026
The 2026 Tony Award Nominees gathered at The Rainbow Room for the 2026 Nominees Luncheon to celebrate the Broadway season and share in the excitement of joining this year’s class of Tony Nominees. See photos!
by Bruce Glikas - May 21, 2026
You can now get a look inside Manhattan Theatre Club's 2026 Spring Gala. The event was hosted by Amber Ruffn, and honored the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
by Bruce Glikas - May 21, 2026
Manhattan Theatre Club's 2026 Spring Gala took place on Monday, May 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street, honoring the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and hosted by Amber Ruffin. Check out photos here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Balusters, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Balusters, 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.
Kenny Leon has received several prestigious awards, including the Directing Award from the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing. He won the Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Soldier's Play and the Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for A Raisin in the Sun. Additionally, he received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards and the Outstanding Director - Play award from the Drama Desk Awards, both for A Raisin in the Sun.
