Zhailon Levingston News

The 2024-25 Broadway season is officially complete and awards season has begun. Catch up on all the latest from the week ending May 9, 2025 with videos from Operation Mincemeat, Wonderful Town, and more!

Watch a video of Anika Noni Rose performing 'One Hundred Easy Ways' in Wonderful Town at Encores! City Center. Only seven performances remain of the Zhailon Levingston-directed production of the classic Leonard Bernstein musical.

Now onstage at New York City Center is Wonderful Town, directed by Zhailon Levingston. Featuring memorable tunes like “Ohio” and “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man,” Wonderful Town is a celebration of what makes New York the greatest city in the world—welcoming people from all over who come to fulfill their dreams. Watch in this video as we take you inside rehearsals with the cast.

The 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway were presented on Sunday, May 4, 2025, at NYU Skirball. Check out updates from the ceremony here!

The New York City Center Encores! production of Wonderful Town is now playing. The critics stopped by the production and the reviews are in! Is Wonderful Town wonderful? Find out below!

New York City Center Encores! production of Wonderful Town is now playing through May 11. Check out all new footage from the production, including a clip of the song 'Ohio' here!

Nominations for the 69th Annual Drama Desk Awards were announced. This year’s awards, hosted by Debra Messing and Tituss Burgess, will be held on Sunday, June 1 at 6:15pm at NYU Skirball  Check out the full list here!

For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.

The Outer Critics Circle has announced the nominees for the 2025 Outer Critics Circle Awards, honoring the 2024-2025 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. We have the full list of nominees here!

Next up in the New York City Center Encores! season is Wonderful Town, directed by Zhailon Levingston. Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell will take audiences inside Leonard Bernstein’s score that captures the sounds and heart of New York City. Check out photos from rehearsals here!

Get a first look inside rehearsals for Wonderful Town at Encores! City Center. The videos feature a first look at Aisha Jackson and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose as sisters Eileen and Ruth in the musical.

The Drama League announced the 2025 Drama League Awards Nominees for Outstanding Production of a Play, Outstanding Revival of a Play, Outstanding Production of a Musical, Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Musical, and the much-coveted Distinguished Performance Award. We have the full list of nominees here!

Geffen Playhouse has unveiled the seven productions that will make up its 2025/2026 season lineup, including two world premieres and more. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.

BroadwayWorld is excited to exclusively reveal that Tony-winner André De Shields is back as Hermes, god of storytellers, travelers, and thieves, in the sixth season of the hit podcast Live From Mount Olympus. Check out the trailer here!

Get a first listen to the 28-piece Encores! Orchestra rehearsing for Wonderful Town, which features songs like “Ohio” and 'Swing.' Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell will take audiences inside Leonard Bernstein’s score in this video.

The season unites established theater luminaries like Lauren Gunderson, Zhailon Levingston, and Nova Y. Payton; rising star writer/composers Ari Afsar and Joriah Kwamé; award-winning UK theater artists Daniel Bailey and Tyrell Williams; and DMV resident (and celebrity chef) Carla Hall.

The American Theatre Wing, under the direction of President and CEO Heather Hitchens, held a special concert reception honoring the 2024 winners of the coveted Jonathan Larson Grant at Joe’s Pub. See photos here!

Nominations for the 40th Annual Lucille Lortel Awards – the only New York theatre award to exclusively honor Outstanding Achievement Off-Broadway – were just announced. Check out the full list of nominees here!

The complete cast has been revealed for Encores! Wonderful Town, starring Aisha Jackson and Anika Noni Rose. See who else is starring in the production, and learn how to purchase tickets.

The love of friends and that special someone is celebrated on Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Enjoy the weekend of love with the Broadway in the Hood production of Chicken & Biscuits, a family drama infused with humor, coming to the West Las Vegas Library Theatre Feb. 13-15.