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.

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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


Broadway Buying Guide: July 1, 2024- Long-Running Hits Top the Week

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, July 1, 2024.
Public Works Presents LET'S HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK! An Unforgettable Dance Experience

Public Works will present LET'S HEAR IT FOR NEW YORK!, a dynamic dance experience celebrating the spirit and diversity of New York City.
Video: Highlights from the 2024 Jimmy Awards

The most talented teenagers from across the country took the stage at the Minskoff Theatre for the 15th Annual Jimmy Awards, hosted by Josh Groban. As BroadwayWorld reported, Damson Chola Jr. (Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards) and Gretchen Shope (Sutton Foster Awards) won Best Performance by an Actor and Best Performance by an Actress. Check out video highlights from the big night here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld June 25, 2024

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is June 25, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Video: Inside Opening Night of HOME on Broadway

In this video, go inside opening night with Kenny Leon and the rest of the company of Home on Broadway.
Broadway Buying Guide: June 24, 2024- CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Pounces to the Top

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 24, 2024.
Gretchen Shope and Damson Chola, Jr. Win at The 2024 Jimmy Awards

Who won at the 2024 Jimmy Awards? We have the full list of finalists and winners!
Interview: HOME's Stori Ayers is the June 2024 Debut of the Month

Read BroadwayWorld's June Debut of the Month interview with Stori Ayers, who is currently starring in Home. Learn more about the show!
Summer 2024 NYC Theatre Guide: Broadway, Off-Broadway & Outdoors

There's nothing like summer in the city! Summer 2024 in New York City will bring with it a handful on new Broadway, off-Broadway, and outdoor productions to take in this June July and August. Let BroadwayWorld be your guide!
Broadway Buying Guide: June 17, 2024- Get Tickets to Tony-Winning 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 17, 2024.
Video: Kecia Lewis Accepts Tony Award For HELL'S KITCHEN

Tonight, Kecia Lewis won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for HELL'S KITCHEN. Watch her acceptance speech in the video here!
Video: Kecia Lewis Celebrates Tony Win for Best Featured Actress in a Musical

Earlier tonight at the 77th Annual Tony Awards, Kecia Lewis took home a Tony Award for 'Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role a Musical' for her outstanding work in Hell's Kitchen. Watch what happened afterwards in this video!
Video: Kara Young Accepts Tony Award For PURLIE VICTORIOUS

Tonight, Kara Young won the 2024 Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play for PURLIE VICTORIOUS. Watch her acceptance speech in the video here!
Video: Meet the Tony-Nominated Directors of 2024

What would Broadway be without the guidance of its directors- the people behind the scenes who guide the performances of the actors onstage and lend their artistic vision to the productions that make us laugh, cry, and appreciate the power of theatre. Three men and seven women were singled out for their exceptional contribution to this Broadway season.
How/When/Where to Watch the 2024 Tony Awards

It's almost here! On June 16, The 77th Annual Tony Awards make their debut at Lincoln Center at the David H. Koch Theatre to celebrate the best of Broadway for the 2023/24 theatre season.
Recap the 2024 Tony Awards Acceptance Speeches

The 77th Annual Tony Awards have officially begun! As winners take the stage this evening, stay tuned to BroadwayWorld as we bring you full text of all of the acceptance speeches; from the emotional to the humorous, and everything in between.
Photos: On the Red Carpet at the 2024 Tony Awards

We're taking you to the red carpet for a look at all of the stars (and what they're wearing)! Check back all night long for more photos!
2024 Tony Awards Winners - The Full List

The 77th Annual Tony Awards were a smashing success with The Outsiders and Stereophonic taking home the top prizes of Best Play and Best Musical. Find out who else took home honors with the full list of winners below!
Counting Up the Tony Awards Already Won by the 2024 Nominees

The 2024 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or eight!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 47 awards!
Broadway & Beyond to Present 2024 Networking Event for Stage Managers of Color

Broadway & Beyond: Access for Stage Managers of Color will host their annual hybrid networking event (virtual and in-person) in New York City in July. Learn how to attend.

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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