Kenny Leon
Director, producer, and actor Kenny Leon is a Tony-Award winner who founded True Colors Theatre Company and is now Principal of KLProductions. His work spans an incredible range, from classic theatre, to drama, to comedy, to musicals, to musical revues, to operas, to film. The range of work is united by his dedication to preserving and refreshing the African American classics, while also producing works from various times, cultures and perspectives.
Leon's Broadway work includes Othello; Our Town; HOME; Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch; Topdog/Underdog; Ohio State Murders; A Soldier鈥檚 Play; American Son; Children of a Lesser God; Holler If Ya Hear Me; A Raisin in the Sun; The Mountaintop; Stick Fly; August Wilson鈥檚 Fences, Gem of the Ocean, and Radio Golf.
In addition to Broadway, he has produced and directed across the country, including Chicago's Goodman Theatre, Boston's Huntington Theatre, Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre and Hartford Stage, Baltimore's Center Stage, Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group, Milwaukee Repertory, New York's Public Theatre, Atlanta's Fox Theatre, Seattle Repertory, Georgia Shakespeare, San Jose Repertory, Dallas Theatre Center, and Oregon Shakespeare.
Off-Broadway, Leon directed King James; The Underlying Chris; Everybody鈥檚 Ruby; Emergence-See! (The Public); Smart People (Second Stage). He also produced the world premiere of Toni Morrison's opera, Margaret Garner. Leon also works in television, and his shows include Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia; Colin in Black & White; 4400; Amend: The Fight for America; American Son (adapted for Netflix); Hairspray Live!; The Wiz Live!; Steel Magnolias; Dynasty; In My Dreams. Author: Take You Wherever You Go.
Previously, he was Artistic Director of the Alliance Theatre Company, and commissioned and directed three new works from Pearl Cleage, Flyin' West, Blues for an Alabama Sky and Bourbon at the Border. Also while at the Alliance, Kenny produced the premieres of Disney's and Elton John's Elaborate Lives: the Legend of Aida and Debbie Allen's Soul Possessed.
Leon's range of work and talents have been awarded with Obie awards, Actors Fund Medal of Honor, George Abbott Lifetime Achievement for American Theatre, and the Jason Robards Award for Excellence in Theatre.