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Lear deBessonet

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Lear deBessonet 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.


Lear deBessonet Photos

Lear deBessonet Productions

 
[Off-Broadway, 2020] Cancelled
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2023]
Director
 
[US Tour, 2023]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2017]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Conceiver and Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2014]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2010]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Director

Writing

Conceiver

Lear deBessonet Awards and Nominations


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

Lear deBessonet Videos

Lear deBessonet News


Ben Levi Ross, Shaina Taub, Joy Woods & Colin Donnell Join RAGTIME at New York City Center

New stars will be making new music this fall! New York City Center announced additional casting for the Annual Gala Presentation Ragtime, directed by Tony nominated Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet. Check out who is joining the cast.
Video: Lear deBessonet Gives TED Talk Featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell

Watch Lear deBessonet's TED Talk with Brian Stokes Mitchell!
Video: Sutton Foster and Michael Urie Talk 'Joyous' Production of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

Sutton Foster and Michael Urie joined the hosts of The TODAY Show on Monday morning to discuss the new revival of Once Upon a Mattress. The original production of the Mary Rodgers/Marshall Barer musical opened in 1959, with legendary performer Carol Burnett playing Princess Winnifred, Foster's role. Watch the interview!
Photo: Sutton Foster & Daniel Breaker Reunite in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Rehearsals

Sutton Foster and Daniel Breaker's dream came true when they reunited at the big, bright, beautiful first rehearsal for Once Upon A Mattress on Broadway. The duo previously shared the stage as Princess Fiona and Donkey in the Broadway production of Shrek. 
Kara Lindsay & More Complete the Cast of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS

The complete cast of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS has been revealed, including Kara Lindsay and more. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.
Ana Gasteyer, Will Chase, Daniel Breaker, and More Join Cast of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS on Broadway

The producers of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS have unveiled the principal cast joining Sutton Foster as Winnifred the Woebegone, and Michael Urie as Prince Dauntless. See the new cast members here!
Are We In a Sondheim Renaissance?

This time, the reader question was: Have there been a lot of Sondheim productions in New York City since the legendary composer and lyricist passed away?
Photos: Go Inside the Farewell Gathering for TITANIC at Encores!

Titanic concluded its run as part of New York City Center Encores! on Sunday, June 23rd. The company held a closing celebration, and BroadwayWorld was there to capture the festivities. Check out the photos here!
Photos: The Cast of Encores! TITANIC Meets the Press

 Titanic is sailing into New York City Center, closing the Encores! season this month. Check out photos of the company meeting the press here!
Photos: Renee Elise Goldsberry, Jelani Alladin, and More Turn Out for the Public Theater Public Works Gala

On June 4, The Public and the Broadway production of SUFFS joined together to celebrate one of the major artistic programs of The Public, Public Works. See photos from inside the starry event below as Tony-winner Renee Elise Goldbery, Jelani Alladin, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and more turn out to celebrate!
The Drama League 2023-24 Season Recap

This season's alumni have made remarkable contributions to the theatrical landscape with an impressive array of productions across various prestigious venues...
Michael Urie Joins Sutton Foster in ONCE UPON A MATTRESS on Broadway

 Drama Desk Award winner and SAG Award nominee Michael Urie will star alongside Tony Award winner Sutton Foster in Once Upon A Mattress on Broadway this summer! Tickets are on sale now!
Video: Joshua Henry Sings Acoustic Version of 'New Music' From RAGTIME

Joshua Henry, who will be starring as Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime at New York City Center, took to Instagram to share an acoustic version of the song 'New Music'. Watch here!
Feature: The VIPS Behind The Curtain at the Ziegfeld Ballroom!

The 2024 Drama League Awards were held on May 17th at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, marking a spectacular celebration of theatrical excellence!
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS Starring Sutton Foster to be Presented at Ahmanson Theatre

Center Theatre Group will present Sutton Foster in “Once Upon a Mattress,” which will come to the Ahmanson Theatre direct from a Broadway run in December. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Sutton Foster Will Lead ONCE UPON A MATTRESS on Broadway Beginning This Summer

 ONCE UPON A MATTRESS will open on Broadway this summer at The Hudson Theatre, starring Tony Award winner Sutton Foster! Foster will lead the Broadway cast, reprising her acclaimed performance as Winnifred the Woebegone.
RAGTIME, THE WILD PARTY, URINETOWN & More Set for NY City Center's 2024/25 Season

A new season is on the way at New York City Center! The line-up is set to include a star-studded gala performance of Ragtime, in addition to three new Encores! productions, which will include Urinetown, Love Life, and The Wild Party. Check out all of the details here!
Principal Cast Set For IN THE HEIGHTS at the Muny

Benji Santiago, Ariana Burks, Alex Joseph Grayson, Alysia Velez, Nancy Ticotin, Miguel Gil, Martín Solá, Karmine Alers, Darilyn Castillo and Marlene Fernandez will star in the Muny premiere of In the Heights, which runs Aug. 9-15 on the James S. McDonnell Stage in Forest Park.
The Drama League Reveals Recipients of 2024 Directors Project

The Drama League has announced the nineteen stage directors receiving the 2024 fellowships, assistantships, residencies, and fund programs collectively known as The Directors Project.
Cast and Creative Teams Set for Clubbed Thumb's SUMMERWORKS

Clubbed Thumb will present SUMMERWORKS. See who is starring, learn about the productions and see how to purchase tickets.

Lear deBessonet 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?

Lear deBessonet has been nominated for several awards, including the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "Into the Woods," Best Direction of a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Into the Woods," Outstanding Director at The Lortels for "Good Person of Szechwan," Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Good Person of Szechwan," and Direction at the 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 at the Drama League Awards, Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for "Into the Woods," and Direction at the Obie Awards for "The Good Person Of Szechuan."

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