Kenny Leon News

The Acting Company has announced its 2017-18 season, which exemplifies the venerable organization's commitment to cultivating a national audience for the theater with exceptional touring productions of classical and new works; developing the best young American actors by giving them an opportunity to practice their craft in a wide-ranging repertory; and educating students that have limited access to the arts.

Hartford Stage Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak and Managing Director Michael Stotts announced today the cast and creative team for William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Tresnjak. The comedy, which runs September 7 through October 8, opens Hartford Stage's 2017-18 season. Actors Scarlett Strallen, Esau Pritchett, and John Lavelle lead the distinguished cast.

Second Stage Theater (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director, Casey Reitz, Executive Director) has announced complete casting for its upcoming production of Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG, directed by Moises Kaufman.

Second Stage Theater, the preeminent home for American plays and living American playwrights, has announced new Board of Trustees members Elin Nierenberg, Tamara Harris Robinson, Ira Schreck, Brooke Shields, Susan Wasserstein and Kara Young.

Roundabout Theatre Company presents the first new play of Roundabout Underground's expanded 2017-2018 season, the world-premiere production of Too Heavy For Your Pocket by Jireh Breon Holder, directed by Margot Bordelon, and featuring Eboni Flowers (Evelyn Brandon), Hampton Fluker (Tony Carter), Brandon Gill (Bowzie Brandon) and Nneka Okafor (Sally-Mae Carter).

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company presents the Atlanta premiere of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winning dramedy, Between Riverside and Crazy written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Eric J. Little.

Single tickets for Second Stage Theater's production of Harvey Fierstein's TORCH SONG, directed by Moises Kaufman, will go on sale to the general public today, Tuesday, July 25 at 1:00pm at 2ST.com or by calling the Second Stage Box Office at (212) 246-4422.

Berkshire Theatre Group is currently presenting (through July 22) the Tony Award-winning Children of a Lesser God, directed by Tony Award-winner, Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun). Now according to the New York Post, producers have their eyes on the show for Broadway. Michael Riedel writes that Hal Luftig is waiting to confirm a theatre for a spring 2018 transfer.

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company and TCTC Board of Directors announce the hiring of Chandra Stephens-Albright as their next managing director. 

NBC's HAIRSPRAY LIVE! was the recipient of seven Emmy nominations. Below, check out colorful images from the live broadcast featuring Emmy-nominated set designs, costumes, make-up, hairstyles and more, along with video which illustrates why HAIRSPRAY LIVE! was worthy of yesterday's high honors!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full casting and creative team for the world premiere of AIN'T TOO PROUD-THE TEMPTATIONS MUSICAL. The musical stage production will be directed by Tony Award winner Des McAnuff. Berkeley Rep presents the show by special arrangement with Ira Pittelman and Tom Hulce (American Idiot, Spring Awakening).

Second Stage Theater has announced that the world premiere of GREG PIERCE's play, CARDINAL, directed by KATE WHORISKEY, has been added to the 2017-18 season. The production will open in Winter 2018 at the Tony Kiser Theater (305 West 43rd Street).

Juilliard Drama, celebrating its 50th anniversary, announces its 2017-18 season of fully staged productions featuring Juilliard's Group 47 acting students in their fourth and final year in the drama program.

National New Play Network, the country's alliance of nonprofit theaters that champions the development, production, and continued life of new plays, announces its 2017-18 grant recipients, including the 2017 Smith Prize for Political Theatre, seven Producer Residencies, and five Collaboration Fund awards that will support partnerships between multiple Member Theaters, playwrights, and other theater makers in various projects.

California Shakespeare Theater continues its 43rd Season with the West Coast premiere of black odyssey, a thrilling and music-infused new play that mashes up Greek mythology and African-American folklore. black odyssey marks the Cal Shakes debut of Oakland native Marcus Gardley (The House That Will Not Stand at Berkeley Rep), and is only the second production ever of the play, which is being re-set in Oakland for Cal Shakes. Directed by Cal Shakes Artistic Director Eric Ting, fresh from directing Berkeley Rep's smash hit An Octoroon, the production will also feature vocal compositions by Linda Tillery and Molly Holm.

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company presents the Atlanta premiere of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize winning dramedy, Between Riverside and Crazy written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Eric J. Little.

Artistic Director Kenny Leon and True Colors Theatre Company announce the departure of Executive Director Jennifer Dwyer McEwen after more than nine years with the company. McEwen submitted her resignation in May after accepting a new role with the Town of Hilton Head as its new Culture and Arts Network Director.

Second Stage Theater has announced that Obie and Drama Desk Award winner LILA NEUGEBAUER will direct the New York Premiere of TRACY LETTS' acclaimed play, MARY PAGE MARLOWE, in June of 2018 at the Tony Kiser Theatre.

Mark Medoff's Tony-winning play CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD centers around a state school for the deaf in the 1970's and follows several interwoven faculty/student storylines. While the excitement builds once we learn where Medoff has placed his characters at the top, it's a quick deflation to see he's decided not to dive deeper into any of the interesting dynamics. Instead, his play is more about a relationship with poor communication skills than a focus on the deaf community's struggle to assimilate into the hearing community.

Second Stage Theater has announced that Mercedes Ruehl, winner of the Tony Award, Academy Award, and Golden Globe Award, will star opposite the previously announced Michael Urie in the upcoming production of Harvey Fierstein's modern classic, Torch Song, directed by Moises Kaufman.