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Zhailon Levingston

BIO

Zhailon Levingston is a Louisiana-raised storyteller, director, and activist. He is a Board Member for the Broadway Advocacy Coalition, which he co-created, and teaches the Theatre of Change course at Columbia University.

He is a Music Mentor Fellow and has done work with Idina Menzel’s A Broader Way Foundation. His directing credits include: Neptune (Dixon Place, Brooklyn Museum), The Years That Went Wrong (Lark, MCC), The Exonerated (Columbia Law School), Chariot Part 2 (Soho Rep., for The Movement Theatre Company), Mother of Pearl (LaGuardia Performing Arts Center). He is the associate director of Primer for a Failed Superpower with Tony Award winner Rachel Chavkin, and Runaways at The Public Theater with Sam Pinkleton. Most recently, he directed Chicken & Biscuits which premiered on Broadway in 2021 and Patience which premiered at Second Stage UPTOWN Summer of 2022. Zhailon is also the former resident director at Tina: The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway and the associate director of Hadestown in South Korea.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Off-Broadway]
Concert Presentation, 2017
Performer


Productions

 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2025]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2024]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2022]
Director
 
[Broadway, 2021] [Replacement]
Director[Replacement]
 
[Off-Broadway, 2020]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2019]
Director
 
[Off-Broadway, 2018]
Community Engagement Team.

Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Drama League Awards - 2025 - OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2025 - Outstanding Direction of a Musical

Zhailon Levingston, Cats: The Jellicle Ball

Videos

News


Video: Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper Invited to Be Guest Judges at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Stephi Wild - Apr 16, 2026

On a recent episode of Watch What Happens Live, Cats: The Jellicle Ball choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons made an appearance and invited host Andy Cohen to be a guest judge at the show.
Candela Opens Applications for Fourth Annual Playwrights Summer Fellowship
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 15, 2026

Candela announced applications are open for its Fourth Annual Playwrights Summer Fellowship, a free week-long program in New York City supporting Latine and Caribbean musical theatre writers, playwrights, and choreopoets.
Photo: Lin-Manuel Miranda & Andrew Lloyd Webber Guest Judge at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Michael Major - Apr 9, 2026

Two legendary composers joined CATS: The Jellicle Ball last night. Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andrew Lloyd Webber were the guest judges at Wednesday night's performance. Following the performance, the two posed with the cast on the runway in a new photo.
Photos: All the Best Opening Night Looks from The Cast of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 8, 2026

A cast of Cats walked the yellow carpet last night at the Broadhurst Theatre, where Cats: The Jellicle Ball officially opened on Broadway. Check out photos of all of the fashions from the cast and creative team before the curtain went up!
Review Roundup: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Opens On Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 8, 2026

CATS: The Jellicle Ball has officially brought its runway to Broadway! The musical revival opens tonight Broadhurst Theatre. Did the critics have a ball at this innovative new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical classic? Find out in our review roundup!
Video: Watch Highlights from CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL on Broadway
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 7, 2026

The jellicle moon is shining bright! Tonight, CATS: The Jellicle Ball opens on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theatre. Watch highlights of the cast in action in this video!
Video: Andrew Lloyd Webber Visits CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Michael Major - Apr 6, 2026

CATS composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has visited the Jellicle Ball! The theatre icon went to see the new Broadway production at the Broadhurst Theatre over the weekend, just days before its opening. Watch the video!
Photos: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL On Broadway- First Look
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 3, 2026

CATS: The Jellicle Ball has officially brought its runway to Broadway! The musical revival is now in previews at the Broadhurst Theatre, where it is set to have its official opening night on Wednesday, April 7. Check out first look photos of the cast in action!
Video: Watch the Full Conversations with CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast and Crew From CBS Sunday Morning Segment
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 30, 2026

To celebrate the reimagined Broadway production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical CATS: The Jellicle Ball, the cast, crew, and dancers recently joined CBS Sunday Morning for a segment dedicated to the show. Watch the extended interviews now.
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Releases New Block of Tickets
by Stephi Wild - Mar 30, 2026

A new block of tickets is now on sale for the new Broadway production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball. The production, which opens on Tuesday April 7 at the Broadhurst Theatre, is now on sale through September 6, 2026. 
Jinkx Monsoon & Jesse Tyler Ferguson Guest Judge at CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Michael Major - Mar 26, 2026

Two beloved Broadway stars hit the runway as guest judges at CATS: The Jellicle Ball last night! Jinkx Monsoon and Jesse Tyler Ferguson joined the production for one-night-only as to guest judge the Jellicle Ball.
Photos: Nicole Scherzinger, Marisha Wallace, and Todrick Hall Visit CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL!
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 23, 2026

Performances are now underway for the Broadway production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre. The show recently was paid a visit by stars Nicole Scherzinger, Marisha Wallace, and Todrick Hall. Check out photos here!
Photos & Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL First Preview
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 19, 2026

You can now get a first look at photos and video of the Broadway production of CATS: The Jellicle Ball at the Broadhurst Theatre! CATS: The Jellicle Ball, is directed by OBIE Award winners Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch.
Video: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Takes First Bows on Broadway
by Michael Major - Mar 19, 2026

CATS: The Jellicle Ball has officially brought its runway to Broadway! Watch a video of the cast of the production take their first bows on Broadway, complete with a fierce runway walk and reprise of 'Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats.'
Video: Andrew Lloyd Webber Attends CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Sitzprobe
by Michael Major - Mar 18, 2026

Andrew Lloyd Webber is celebrating just another reinvention of one of his classic works. As Cats: The Jellicle Ball begins previews on Broadway tonight, look back on the Tony-winner attending the musical's sitzprobe. Watch the video!
Meet the Cast of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL, Now Playing on Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2026

Performances are now underway for  CATS: The Jellicle Ball, which begins preview performances Wednesday, March 18 at the Broadhurst Theatre ahead of a Wednesday, April 7 opening night. Meet the cast here!
CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Launches Digital Lottery and Rush Policies
by Stephi Wild - Mar 16, 2026

Digital lottery and rush policies have been announced for the new Broadway production of the wildly acclaimed, award-winning CATS: The Jellicle Ball, which begins preview performances Wednesday, March 18.
John Legend and Mike Jackson Join CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Producing Team
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 13, 2026

EGOT winner John Legend and Tony and Emmy Award-winning producer Mike Jackson, through their company Get Lifted Film Co. have joined the producing team of CATS: The Jellicle Ball.
Character Breakdown: CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Cast Unpacks Their Jellicle Roles
by Luka Vonier - Mar 7, 2026

Rehearsals are officially underway for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, directed by OBIE Award winners Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch and choreographed by Chita Rivera Award winners and New York City Ballroom icons Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons. Watch in this video as the cast unpacks their roles
Cynthia Erivo and Lena Waithe Join Producing Team of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL
by Stephi Wild - Feb 26, 2026

Lena Waithe and Cynthia Erivo have joined the producing team of CATS: The Jellicle Ball on Broadway, which will begin performances this spring at the Broadhurst Theatre.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Zhailon Levingston been nominated for?

Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball, OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL (Drama League Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball and Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Cats: The Jellicle Ball.

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