Kenny Leon
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.
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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.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Kenny Leon from another Broadway star or creative.
Kenny Leon
Connection
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 Leon, Tambourines to Glory
winner
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
Kenny Leon, Blues in the Night
Videos
Video: Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood in TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Steppenwolf
by Stephi Wild - 2026-09-30 09:21:58
Video: Watch Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood in TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-09-25 10:13:42
Video: Watch the Trailer for THE CONVERSATION Starring Joshua Henry and Julia Harriman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-09-15 14:34:02
Video: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Preview Teases Steppenwolf Season Opener
by Allison Henry - 2026-09-11 10:01:10
Video: Director Kenny Leon Discusses TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Steppenwolf
by Joshua Wright - 2026-08-28 12:38:34
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
News
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2026
Symphony Space will present a special evening celebrating the 20th anniversary of Grey Gardens. Christine Ebersole will revisit her Tony Award-winning performance, alongside the show's composer, Scott Frankel.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 6, 2026
The African American Film Critics Association will present its fifth annual AAFCA Goes to Broadway Luncheon, recognizing Broadway artists and cultural leaders including André De Shields, Jasmine Cephas Jones and more.
by Team BWW - Oct 1, 2026
Chicago is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Selections for October 2026 include TOPDOG/UNDERDOG and more.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 30, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company has launched its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Kenny Leon. Check out an all new video clip from the show here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 29, 2026
Tony Award nominee Ato Blankson-Wood is set to join the production in the role of Terence Alan Smith/Joan Jett Blakk in MS. BLAKK FOR PRESIDENT, replacing Wayne Brady.
by Rachel Weinberg - Sep 28, 2026
Steppenwolf opens its 51st season with a blistering and captivating production of Suzan Lori-Parks’s Topdog/Underdog. This play has long been on my theater bucket list, and it’s absolutely what I think of when I think of a “Steppenwolf play”: A gritty family drama about brothers undergoing hard times, grappling with racial injustice and the fallacy of the American Dream. With direction by Kenny Leon, Steppenwolf Co-Artistic Director Glen Davis and Ensemble Member Namir Smallwood are dazzlingly suited to take on the roles of Lincoln and Booth. While they tell us their names are a joke by their parents, it’s also revealing of their sibling dynamic and their fates. Though American society at large may view them as insignificant and non-contributors to capitalism, Lincoln and Booth nonetheless feel pressured to constantly one up each other — though they may have few means to do so.
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 25, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a new video promoting its current production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, running in Chicago through November 1.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2026
Westport Country Playhouse opened registration for Playhouse Playmakers, a seven-week education program for middle school students to create and stage an original play with professional actors.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company has launched its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2026
John Cariani's Almost, Maine will be presented at OSO, a professional Fringe theatre located in the heart of Barnes village in South-West London, for a two-week run.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company's production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden is now on Broadway! Meet the cast here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2026
Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon will release his new book Direction. The memoir features a foreword by Tom Hanks and recounts his creative partnerships with artists including Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
The American Theatre Wing held its annual fall gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom, celebrating backstage and ensemble members whose contributions are vital to theatre productions. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
You can now get a first look at a new trailer for The Conversation, a new original musical conceived, co-written and starring Tony Award winner Joshua Henry and Julia Harriman
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 16, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your official fall 2026 Off-Broadway preview, a complete guide to everything opening Off-Broadway! See West End transfers, stars in play revivals, multiple world premieres and more.
by Allison Henry - Sep 11, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a preview clip of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, opening its 51st season in Chicago this fall.
by Elizabeth Armstrong - Sep 4, 2026
Celebrated Canadian actors Sophia Walker and André Morin are, as they say, 'booked and busy.' Walker and Morin star in not only one Shaw Festival production this season, but two: Ohio State Murders and A New Work in Progress.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon. Check out rehearsal photos here!
by Joshua Wright - Aug 28, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a new video featuring director Kenny Leon discussing his production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, opening the theatre's 51st season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 26, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog. Topdog/Underdog will play a limited engagement
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.
