Lear deBessonet
Latest News on Lear deBessonet:
Video: RAGTIME Stars Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz Sing 'Our Children' in New Studio Clip (May 11, 2026)
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- RAGTIME and SCHMIGADOON! Lead the Pack (May 11, 2026)
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2026 Nominated Revivals (May 9, 2026)
Video: RAGTIME Stars Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz Sing 'Our Children' in New Studio Clip (May 11, 2026)
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- RAGTIME and SCHMIGADOON! Lead the Pack (May 11, 2026)
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2026 Nominated Revivals (May 9, 2026)
BIO
Lear deBessonet is the Founder of Public Works and Resident Director at the Public Theater. For Public Works, she has directed pageant-style musical adaptations of The Tempest, The Winter's Tale, and The Odyssey at the Delacorte, each featuring two-hundred New Yorkers from all five boroughs.
Photos
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Productions
Writing
Conceiver
Awards and Nominations
Drama Desk Awards - 2026 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
Drama League Awards - 2026 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2026 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
Tony Awards - 2026 - Best Direction of a Musical
Lear deBessonet, Ragtime
winner
Drama League Awards - 2023 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing
Lear deBessonet
winner
Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Lear DeBessonet, Into the Woods
Tony Awards - 2023 - Best Direction of a Musical
Lear deBessonet, Into the Woods
The Lortels - 2014 - Outstanding Director
Lear deBessonet, Good Person of Szechwan
Drama Desk Awards - 2013 - Outstanding Director of a Play
Lear deBessonet, Good Person of Szechwan
winner
Obie Awards - 2013 - Direction
Lear deBessonet, The Good Person Of Szechuan
Videos
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Celebrate 11 Tony Award Nominations With Surprise Stage Door Performance
by A.A. Cristi - 2026-05-06 18:31:45
Video: Watch Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, & More Perform From RAGTIME at WNYC Event
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-17 16:02:37
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-03 11:33:52
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-16 14:10:05
Video: Inside Opening Night of RAGTIME with Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz & More
by Joey Mervis - 2025-10-17 13:55:04
Video: Joshua Henry & RAGTIME Cast Rehearse 'Gettin’ Ready Rag'
by Michael Major - 2025-09-19 10:52:52
Video: Watch the RAGTIME Cast Perform the Title Song at Lincoln Center
by Michael Major - 2025-05-28 10:45:40
Video: ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Stars J. Harrison Ghee, Cheyenne Jackson, and Nikki Renee Daniels Gear Up for City Center
by A.A. Cristi - 2024-01-17 18:52:38
VIDEO: Watch the First Day with The Encores! Orchestra for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-12-23 14:01:59
Video: Cast of INTO THE WOODS Talks Opening Night in Los Angeles
by Alan Henry - 2023-07-03 11:01:07
Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for OLIVER! at New York City Center
by Blair Ingenthron - 2023-05-02 16:00:19
Video: Denee Benton Gets Her Wish as INTO THE WOODS' New Cinderella
by Nicole Rosky - 2022-12-18 12:00:20
News
Video: RAGTIME Stars Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz Sing 'Our Children' in New Studio Clip
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2026
Head into the studio with Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, two of the Tony-nominated stars of Ragtime, as they record their rendition of, 'Our Children.' Check out newly released video of the pair in the recording studio.
by A.A. Cristi - May 11, 2026
Head into the studio with Caissie Levy and Brandon Uranowitz, two of the Tony-nominated stars of Ragtime, as they record their rendition of, 'Our Children.' Check out newly released video of the pair in the recording studio.
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Winners- RAGTIME and SCHMIGADOON! Lead the Pack
by Nicole Rosky - May 11, 2026
The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town, national, and digital news publications, has just announced the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards. We have the full list.
by Nicole Rosky - May 11, 2026
The Outer Critics Circle (OCC), the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town, national, and digital news publications, has just announced the winners of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards. We have the full list.
Unpack the Tony Awards History of the 2026 Nominated Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
by Sidney Paterra - May 9, 2026
The results of the 2026 Tony races are very much still up in the air, but many of this season's nominated revivals have been Tony-tested before. How did they fare? The past may not always be the best indicator of the future, but accolades of years past provide interesting insight nonetheless. Check out a complete list of who was nominated, in what categories, and most importantly... if they won!
Exclusive: RAGTIME, CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL And More Honored At the New York Drama Critics' Circle Awards
by Bruce Glikas - May 8, 2026
The New York Drama Critics' Circle celebrated the 2025-2026 season with honors for Little Bear Ridge Road, Ragtime, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and more. BroadwayWorld was inside the event for an exclusive look at the evening’s honorees and attendees. Check out the photos!
by Bruce Glikas - May 8, 2026
The New York Drama Critics' Circle celebrated the 2025-2026 season with honors for Little Bear Ridge Road, Ragtime, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, and more. BroadwayWorld was inside the event for an exclusive look at the evening’s honorees and attendees. Check out the photos!
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Celebrate 11 Tony Award Nominations With Surprise Stage Door Performance
by A.A. Cristi - May 6, 2026
Broadway's revival of RAGTIME, directed by Lear deBessonet at Lincoln Center Theater, celebrated its 11 Tony Award nominations last night. The show's Tony Award-nominated leading man led his castmates and their fans in a rendition of 'Celebration' by Kool & the Gang. Watch the video!
by A.A. Cristi - May 6, 2026
Broadway's revival of RAGTIME, directed by Lear deBessonet at Lincoln Center Theater, celebrated its 11 Tony Award nominations last night. The show's Tony Award-nominated leading man led his castmates and their fans in a rendition of 'Celebration' by Kool & the Gang. Watch the video!
Video: Watch the Cast of RAGTIME Perform NPR Tiny Desk Concert
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2026
Watch Ragtime cast members Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Caissie Levy, Ben Levi Ross, Nichelle Lewis, and Colin Donnell perform a series of musical numbes for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series.
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2026
Watch Ragtime cast members Joshua Henry, Brandon Uranowitz, Caissie Levy, Ben Levi Ross, Nichelle Lewis, and Colin Donnell perform a series of musical numbes for NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series.
Feature: Stages St. Louis Founder Jack Lane and Former Muny Associate Producer Mike Bosner Vie for the Musical Revival Tony Award
by James Lindhorst - May 5, 2026
St. Louis is at the center of one of the most hotly contested races at this year’s Tony Awards. The producing teams of Ragtime and CATS: The Jellicle Ball have ties to St. Louis, and both are nominated for Best Revival of a Musical. Stages St. Louis founder Jack Lane is a co-producer of Ragtime. Mike Bosner, a John Borroughs High School alum and former associate producer at The Muny is the lead producer on CATS: The Jellicle Ball.
by James Lindhorst - May 5, 2026
St. Louis is at the center of one of the most hotly contested races at this year’s Tony Awards. The producing teams of Ragtime and CATS: The Jellicle Ball have ties to St. Louis, and both are nominated for Best Revival of a Musical. Stages St. Louis founder Jack Lane is a co-producer of Ragtime. Mike Bosner, a John Borroughs High School alum and former associate producer at The Muny is the lead producer on CATS: The Jellicle Ball.
2026 Tony Awards- The Nominees React
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
This year's nominees are checking in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about how they got the news. Check back for live updates!
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
This year's nominees are checking in with BroadwayWorld to tell us all about how they got the news. Check back for live updates!
2026 Tony Nominations - Show by Show
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The nominations are in! Below, check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show. Follow us on BroadwayWorld throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The nominations are in! Below, check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show. Follow us on BroadwayWorld throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
2026 Tony Nominations: THE LOST BOYS and SCHMIGADOON! Lead with 12 Each
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
BroadwayWorld's official Tony Awards coverage is here! Check out the 2026 Tony nominees here and follow us throughout the season for exclusive nominee interviews, special coverage and lots more!
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
BroadwayWorld's official Tony Awards coverage is here! Check out the 2026 Tony nominees here and follow us throughout the season for exclusive nominee interviews, special coverage and lots more!
Raúl Esparza, Norbert Leo Butz, Beth Leavel and More to Present at 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards is set to be the largest gathering in the organization's seven-decade history — with the most Drama Desk winners and nominees, past and present, ever assembled for the ceremony.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards is set to be the largest gathering in the organization's seven-decade history — with the most Drama Desk winners and nominees, past and present, ever assembled for the ceremony.
The Drama League Reveals 2026 Directors Project Recipients
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The Drama League has revealed the twenty-five stage directors receiving the 2026 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and exchange opportunities collectively known as The Directors Project.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 4, 2026
The Drama League has revealed the twenty-five stage directors receiving the 2026 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and exchange opportunities collectively known as The Directors Project.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 30, 2026- Lea Michele Talks CHESS and More
by - Apr 30, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 30, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Apr 30, 2026
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is April 30, 2026 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
RAGTIME Will Launch National Tour in Fall 2027
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, announced today that it will launch a North American Tour in the fall of 2027. We have all of the details!
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Lincoln Center Theater’s Broadway revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, announced today that it will launch a North American Tour in the fall of 2027. We have all of the details!
70th Annual Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00AM ET. Check out the nominees so far and check back later for teh complete list.
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 29, 2026
Raúl Esparza and Helen J Shen will announce the 70th Annual Drama Desk Awards nominations on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 10:00AM ET. Check out the nominees so far and check back later for teh complete list.
Photos: Susan Sarandon and More Walk THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW Red Carpet
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 24, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show official is officially open on Broadway at Studio 54! You can now see photos of the film's original star Susan Sarandon, stars like Laverne Cox, and more at the opening night of the show here!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 24, 2026
The Rocky Horror Show official is officially open on Broadway at Studio 54! You can now see photos of the film's original star Susan Sarandon, stars like Laverne Cox, and more at the opening night of the show here!
2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
Isa Briones and Sepideh Moafi hosted the live announcement of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations. Check out the full list of nominations here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 21, 2026
Isa Briones and Sepideh Moafi hosted the live announcement of the 2026 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations. Check out the full list of nominations here!
2026 Drama League Awards Nominations- The Full List
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2026
The Drama League has announced the 2026 Drama League Awards Nominees, which include Chess, Heathers, Ragtime, The Rocky Horror Show, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, Titanique, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), and more. Check out the full list here!
Video: RAGTIME Stars Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz & More Perform at WNYC Event
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 17, 2026
The cast of Broadway's Ragtime visited WNYC on Friday for a special appearance as part of the Broadway On The Radio series. Watch the hour-long event, featuring performances from Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, Nichelle Lewis, Ben Levi Ross, and Shaina Taub.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 17, 2026
The cast of Broadway's Ragtime visited WNYC on Friday for a special appearance as part of the Broadway On The Radio series. Watch the hour-long event, featuring performances from Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, Brandon Uranowitz, Nichelle Lewis, Ben Levi Ross, and Shaina Taub.
Photos: Michael Urie, Lilli Cooper, and More Attend THE FEAR OF 13 Opening Night
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 16, 2026
The stars came out for opening night of The Fear of 13, including Michael Urie, Lilli Cooper, Common, Anna Wintour, and many more. Check out the photos from the red carpet here!
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 16, 2026
The stars came out for opening night of The Fear of 13, including Michael Urie, Lilli Cooper, Common, Anna Wintour, and many more. Check out the photos from the red carpet here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many shows has Lear deBessonet written?
Lear deBessonet has written 1 shows including transFigures (Conceiver).
What awards has Lear deBessonet been nominated for?
Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Ragtime, OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Ragtime, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Ragtime, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Ragtime, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) for , Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Direction of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Outstanding Director (The Lortels) for Good Person of Szechwan, Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Good Person of Szechwan and Direction (Obie Awards) for The Good Person Of Szechuan.
What awards has Lear deBessonet won?
Lear deBessonet has won the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards) and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama League Awards) for Into the Woods. Additionally, she received the Direction award (Obie Awards) for The Good Person of Szechuan.
Videos
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