Lear deBessonet
Latest News on Lear deBessonet:
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag' (Mar 3, 2026)
Hot Tickets of the Week: WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY, RAGTIME & More (Mar 2, 2026)
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW (Feb 16, 2026)
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag' (Mar 3, 2026)
Hot Tickets of the Week: WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY, RAGTIME & More (Mar 2, 2026)
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW (Feb 16, 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
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 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
VIDEO: Gavin Creel Helps Make a Breast Cancer Survivor's Broadway Dreams Come True Onstage at INTO THE WOODS on TODAY
by Michael Major - 2022-10-27 11:36:49
VLOG: Go Backstage At INTO THE WOODS With Kennedy Kennedy Kanagawa - Episode 3
by Alan Henry - 2022-10-15 16:00:20
VIDEO: Watch Gavin Creel & Andy Karl Perform 'Agony' From INTO THE WOODS on TODAY
by Michael Major - 2022-10-06 11:28:13
News
Video: Joshua Henry and RAGTIME Cast Perform 'Gettin' Ready Rag'
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 3, 2026
During Monday's special Broadway-themed episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, P!nk's daughter Willow went behind the scenes of Broadway's Ragtime to chat with the cast and crew about the production and share a musical number from the show. Check it out now.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 3, 2026
During Monday's special Broadway-themed episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, P!nk's daughter Willow went behind the scenes of Broadway's Ragtime to chat with the cast and crew about the production and share a musical number from the show. Check it out now.
Hot Tickets of the Week: WICKED, THE GREAT GATSBY, RAGTIME & More
by Team BWW - Mar 2, 2026
Ready to see your next Broadway show? Of course you are! Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week. Check out the shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to this week, starting March 2nd, 2026.
by Team BWW - Mar 2, 2026
Ready to see your next Broadway show? Of course you are! Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week. Check out the shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to this week, starting March 2nd, 2026.
Video: Joshua Henry Performs 'Make Them Hear You' From RAGTIME on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 16, 2026
Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry took over The View stage on Monday to perform a powerful rendition of Make Them Hear You from the musical revival of Ragtime. Check out his performance now.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 16, 2026
Tony Award nominee Joshua Henry took over The View stage on Monday to perform a powerful rendition of Make Them Hear You from the musical revival of Ragtime. Check out his performance now.
Broadway Cast of RAGTIME Set for Monday Performance on THE VIEW
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2026
On Presidents Day, the cast of Broadway's Ragtime will take the stage on The View for a special performance from the hit revival. Tune in to watch the performance, airing Monday, February 16, at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EDT on ABC.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2026
On Presidents Day, the cast of Broadway's Ragtime will take the stage on The View for a special performance from the hit revival. Tune in to watch the performance, airing Monday, February 16, at 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EDT on ABC.
Joshua Henry to Record Acoustic Album Live at Lincoln Center; Attend For Free
by Michael Major - Feb 10, 2026
Joshua Henry is inviting a select amount of audience members to witness the recording of his new acoustic album. The Ragtime star took to Instagram to reveal that he will be releasing a new acoustic LP, recording it this month at Lincoln Center.
by Michael Major - Feb 10, 2026
Joshua Henry is inviting a select amount of audience members to witness the recording of his new acoustic album. The Ragtime star took to Instagram to reveal that he will be releasing a new acoustic LP, recording it this month at Lincoln Center.
OZ Arts Nashville to Host Southeastern Premiere of MAJOR by Ogemdi Ude
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 28, 2026
OZ Arts Nashville will present the Southeastern premiere of MAJOR, a majorette-inspired contemporary dance by choreographer Ogemdi Ude, featuring local TSU majorettes and a Grammy-winning drumline.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 28, 2026
OZ Arts Nashville will present the Southeastern premiere of MAJOR, a majorette-inspired contemporary dance by choreographer Ogemdi Ude, featuring local TSU majorettes and a Grammy-winning drumline.
Video: RAGTIME's Caissie Levy Performs ‘Back to Before’ on TODAY
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2026
Caissie Levy, who is currently playing the role of 'Mother' in the Broadway revival of Ragtime, visited TODAY on Tuesday for a performance of 'Back to Before' as part of the Citi Concert Series. Check it out now!
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 27, 2026
Caissie Levy, who is currently playing the role of 'Mother' in the Broadway revival of Ragtime, visited TODAY on Tuesday for a performance of 'Back to Before' as part of the Citi Concert Series. Check it out now!
Video: RAGTIME Releases 2025 Broadway Cast Recording; Watch the Cast Perform 'Journey On'
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, is now available digitally! CD and vinyl releases will follow on February 6 and April 3, respectively. Listen to the album here!
by Stephi Wild - Jan 9, 2026
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, is now available digitally! CD and vinyl releases will follow on February 6 and April 3, respectively. Listen to the album here!
Video: Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis Sing 'Wheels of a Dream' From RAGTIME
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
The new Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released. Get a look inside the recording studio, with Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis singing 'Wheels of a Dream'!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 8, 2026
The new Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released. Get a look inside the recording studio, with Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis singing 'Wheels of a Dream'!
Photos: Inside the RAGTIME Cast Recording Listening Party
by Bruce Glikas - Jan 8, 2026
The Ragtime cast got a first listen to the forthcoming cast recording at a special listening party. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the special event here!
by Bruce Glikas - Jan 8, 2026
The Ragtime cast got a first listen to the forthcoming cast recording at a special listening party. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos from the special event here!
Industry Pro Newsletter: Broadway League Leadership Awards, ACTF Drops Affiliation with Kennedy Center
by Alex Freeman - Jan 5, 2026
Happy New Year! This week, we’re catching up on a few different stories that you might have missed while you were out for the holidays - including the ongoing tumult at the Kennedy Center, multiple Broadway box office records, and the controversial reopening of a theatre in Mariupol.
by Alex Freeman - Jan 5, 2026
Happy New Year! This week, we’re catching up on a few different stories that you might have missed while you were out for the holidays - including the ongoing tumult at the Kennedy Center, multiple Broadway box office records, and the controversial reopening of a theatre in Mariupol.
RAGTIME Sets New Box Office Record at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 30, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has broken the record for highest weekly gross in the history of Lincoln Center Theater.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 30, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has broken the record for highest weekly gross in the history of Lincoln Center Theater.
Photos: AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS Opens at Lincoln Center Theater
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 19, 2025
The holiday family opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors opened at Lincoln Center Theater. See photos from opening night here! On hand to celebrate the occasion were Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 19, 2025
The holiday family opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors opened at Lincoln Center Theater. See photos from opening night here! On hand to celebrate the occasion were Billy Porter, Annaleigh Ashford, and more.
Video: RAGTIME Cast Performs Opening Number on GOOD MORNING AMERICA
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2025
To celebrate the hit revival of Broadway's Ragtime, Good Morning America visited the Vivian Beaumont Theatre for an exclusive performance of the musical's opening number. Watch as the company, including Joshua Henry, Nichelle Lewis, Brandon Uranowitz, and Caissie Levy, takes the stage for the rousing number.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 4, 2025
To celebrate the hit revival of Broadway's Ragtime, Good Morning America visited the Vivian Beaumont Theatre for an exclusive performance of the musical's opening number. Watch as the company, including Joshua Henry, Nichelle Lewis, Brandon Uranowitz, and Caissie Levy, takes the stage for the rousing number.
SMU Meadows School of the Arts to Honor Brian Stokes Mitchell with 2026 Meadows Award
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2025
SMU Meadows School of the Arts has revealed that the recipient of the 2026 Meadows Award is Brian Stokes Mitchell, known for his Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning performances.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 25, 2025
SMU Meadows School of the Arts has revealed that the recipient of the 2026 Meadows Award is Brian Stokes Mitchell, known for his Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award-winning performances.
RAGTIME 2025 Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in January
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released digitally on January 9, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2025
The 2025 Broadway cast recording of Lincoln Center Theater’s revival of Ragtime, directed by Lear deBessonet, will be released digitally on January 9, 2026.
Photos: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and More at WICKED: FOR GOOD New York Premiere
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 19, 2025
You can now check out photos from the red carpet of the Wicked: For Good New York City premiere, which streamed live, and marked the final stop of the press tour for the film.
by Bruce Glikas - Nov 19, 2025
You can now check out photos from the red carpet of the Wicked: For Good New York City premiere, which streamed live, and marked the final stop of the press tour for the film.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 7, 2025- RAGTIME Extends Broadway Run and More
by - Nov 7, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 7, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
by - Nov 7, 2025
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 7, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
RAGTIME Extends on Broadway Due to Demand
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has extended performances by popular demand through June 14, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 6, 2025
Lincoln Center Theater’s 2025 revival of Ragtime, directed by Kewsong Lee Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, has extended performances by popular demand through June 14, 2026.
Photos: RAGTIME Celebrates Opening Night on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 20, 2025
The second Broadway revival of Ragtime is officially open at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. In attendance were Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Hillary Clinton, and more! Check out the photos here!
by Bruce Glikas - Oct 20, 2025
The second Broadway revival of Ragtime is officially open at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. In attendance were Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Hillary Clinton, and more! Check out the photos 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?
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 received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards. She won Outstanding Direction of a Musical at the Drama League Awards for Into the Woods. Additionally, she received an Obie Award for Direction for The Good Person of Szechuan.
Videos