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Kenny Leon

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Kenny Leon 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.

Kenny Leon Photos

Kenny Leon Productions

 
[Broadway, 2025]
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[Broadway, 2024]
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[Broadway, 2024]
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[Broadway, 2023]
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[Off-Broadway, 2023]
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[Off-Broadway, 2023]
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[US Tour, 2022]
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[Broadway, 2022] [Replacement]
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[Broadway, 2022]
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[Broadway, 2020]
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[Off-Broadway, 2019]
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[Off-Broadway, 2019] [Replacement]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[Broadway, 2018]
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[Regional (US), 2017]
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[Motion Picture, 2016]
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[Off-Broadway, 2016]
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[New York, 2015]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2014]
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[Broadway, 2011]
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[Broadway, 2011]
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[Broadway, 2010]
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[Broadway, 2007]
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[Off-Broadway, 2006]
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[Washington, DC (Regional), 2005]
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[Broadway, 2004]
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[Broadway, 2004]
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[Off-Broadway, 1999]
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Kenny Leon Awards and Nominations

Drama Desk Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2024 - Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

Tony Awards - 2024 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious

Drama League Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog

Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2023 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog


winner
Obie Awards - 2020 - Directing Award

Kenny Leon, Much Ado About Nothing


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2020 - Outstanding Director of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play

Tony Awards - 2020 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play


winner
Tony Awards - 2014 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun


winner
Drama League Awards - 2010 - Founders Award for Excellence in Directing

Kenny Leon

Tony Awards - 2010 - Best Direction of a Play

Kenny Leon, Fences

Helen Hayes Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Kenny LeonTambourines to Glory


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2004 - Outstanding Director - Play

Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun

Helen Hayes Awards - 2002 - Outstanding Director, Resident Musical

Kenny LeonBlues in the Night

Kenny Leon Videos

Kenny Leon News


2024 Drama Desk Awards Winners- The Full List

The best of Broadway and off-Broadway came together for the 68th Annual Drama Desk Awards, which were held at The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.
Drama Book Shop Will Host Signing and Talkback Event For 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'

The Drama Book Shop will host an event in conjunction with the release of the book, 'The Tony Awards: A Celebration of Excellence in Theatre'. The event will feature Eila Mell and Heather A. Hitchens, and will include a talkback, signing, and live podcast recording.
Broadway Buying Guide: June 10, 2024- Get Tickets to Incoming Shows

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, June 10, 2024.
Video: Get a First Look at HOME on Broadway Directed By Kenny Leon

Get a first look at footage of Home on Broadway! Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 7, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 7, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Photos: See Kenny Leon & More on the Red Carpet for HOME on Broadway

Check out photos from the opening night red carpet of Home on Broadway!
Photos: On the Red Carpet at Opening Night of HOME on Broadway

Roundabout Theatre Company’s new Broadway production of HOME by Samm-Art Williams, directed by Kenny Leon, officially opened last night, June 5, at Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos from the opening night red carpet here!
Photos: Inside HOME's Opening Night Curtain Call

Roundabout Theatre Company’s new Broadway production of HOME by Samm-Art Williams, directed by Kenny Leon, officially opened last night, June 5, at Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos from the curtain call here!
Review Roundup: HOME Opens On Broadway Directed By Kenny Leon

Home opens at the Todd Haimes Theatre on Broadway. Read the reviews!
SOME LIKE IT HOT Is Coming To The Fisher Theatre This October 1

Experience the musical SOME LIKE IT HOT at the Fisher Theatre from October 1-13.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 6, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 6, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 
Jake Gyllenhaal Discusses Learning Shakespeare for Broadway's OTHELLO

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Tony award-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal discussed several of his current and upcoming projects, including his turn as the villainous Iago in the 2025 Broadway production of Shakespeare's Othello.
Alicia Keys, Linda Twine, and Maxine Williams Will Be Honored at the 2024 Black Theatre United Gala

Black Theatre United will host its second annual Gala on Monday, September 30, 2024 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. Learn more about how to attend here!
Interview: Steve H. Broadnax III & Rashad McPherson Are Getting Ready for Another Juneteenth in Times Square

BroadwayWorld checked in with Director and Writer Steve H. Broadnax III and Music Director Rashad McPherson to get the scoop on what's to come for this fourth annual event!
Harlem Stage Announces New Artistic Director and CEO

Harlem Stage has announced producer, director, scholar, and arts and cultural executive Dr. Indira Etwaroo as its new Artistic Director and CEO.
Broadway Buying Guide: June 3, 2024- Ben Platt is Back

Looking for the best deals on Broadway shows? Welcome to our new weekly guide to the most popular shows listed on BroadwayWorld. Check out which shows are selling this week, June 3, 2024.
The Studio Theatre Reveals The Cast of EXIT LAUGHING

In July, The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol will open the second Summer Show of the 2024/2025 Season, with Exit Laughing by Paul Elliott.
Video: Leslie Odom Jr. Talks Tony Noms for PURLIE VICTORIOUS and Good Broadway Etiquette

Leslie Odom Jr. stopped by TODAY on Wednesday to discuss starring and producing the play Purlie Victorious, which recently was nominated for 6 Tony Awards. Later on in the interview, he also went on to discuss good Broadway etiquette for audience members. Watch the interview now!
Final Days To Vote For the 21st Annual Theatre Fans' Choice Awards

The latest standings have been announced for the 21st Annual Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards, honoring and celebrating the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large - allowing YOU to have your say during the most exciting time of the year for the theater community.
Exclusive: Hasna Muhammad on Shadowing the Call at PURLIE VICTORIOUS

Purlie Victorious may have played its final Broadway performance months ago, but the acclaimed production was not forgotten by Tony nominators. The revival earned six 2024 Tony nominations, including Best Revival of a Play. Enjoy 'Shadowing the Call' by Hasna Muhammad.

Kenny Leon FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What awards has Kenny Leon been nominated for?

Kenny Leon has been nominated for several awards throughout his career, including Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Purlie Victorious," Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Purlie Victorious," and Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Purlie Victorious." He has also received nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Play at the Drama League Awards for "Topdog/Underdog," Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "Topdog/Underdog," and the Directing Award at the Obie Awards for "Much Ado About Nothing." Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "A Soldier's Play," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "A Soldier's Play," and Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun." Kenny Leon also received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards and nominations for Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "Fences." He has won awards such as Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Tambourines to Glory," Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun," and Outstanding Director, Resident Musical at the Helen Hayes Awards for "Blues in the Night."

What awards has Kenny Leon won?

Kenny Leon has won several awards for his directing work, including the Directing Award at the Obie Awards for "Much Ado About Nothing," Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for "A Soldier's Play," Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun," the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing at the Drama League Awards, and Outstanding Director - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "A Raisin in the Sun."

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