Stage to PageTony Winner Kenny Leon’s 11 Favorite Theatregoing ExperiencesThe American Son director recalls performances by Samuel L. Jackson, Audra McDonald, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and more.
By
Andrew Gans
January 09, 2019
Tony winner Kenny Leon, who was artistic director of The Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta from 1990 through 2002, is represented on Broadway this season with the acclaimed drama American Son, starring Golden Globe nominee Kerry Washington and Drama Desk nominee Steven Pasquale. Penned by Christopher Demos-Brown, the production continues through January 27 at the Booth Theatre. Leon, who won his Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun, was also Tony-nominated for his direction of the 2010 revival of August Wilson's Fences.
Here, the critically acclaimed director recalls the performances that most affected him as part of the audience.
Samuel L. Jackson in The Mountaintop
Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett
Joan Marcus
You’ve got to start with Sam Jackson in The Mountaintop because he allowed me to forget the badass and see Dr. King.
Denzel Washington in Fences
Denzel Washington in Fences Joan Marcus
Because it was so 3-D in every way, meaning that it was a full human being with gifts and flaws.
Viola Davis in Fences
Viola Davis, Chris Chalk, Denzel Washington and Mykelti Williamson in the 2010 Broadway production Fences.
Joan Marcus
The most raw performance I have ever seen by an actress onstage—she was truth personified!
LaTanya Richardson Jackson in A Raisin in the Sun
David Cromer, Bryce Kyle Jenkins, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Anika Noni Rose, Denzel Washington and Sophie Okonedo in the 2014 Broadway production A Raisin in the Sun.
Brigitte Lacombe
Shows us what strength and elegance look like.
Lauren Ridloff in Children of a Lesser God
Lauren Ridloff and Joshua Jackson
Matthew Murphy
Because she was honest and raw.
Leslie Odom, Jr. in Hamilton
Leslie Odom, Jr in Hamilton Joan Marcus
He was the glue to Hamilton. He brought his unique style to an amazing character and story.
Christian Borle in Something Rotten!
Christian Borle in Something Rotten!Joan Marcus
He made me forget how silly it all was.
Audra McDonald in A Raisin in the Sun
Audra McDonald and Sean Combs in A Raisin in the SunJoan Marcus
Made me realize how much more she has to offer the world as a dramatic actress.
Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a Salesman
Philip Seymour Hoffman in Death of a SalesmanBrigitte Lacombe for New York Magazine
Something that I can’t even talk about without crying.
Kerry Washington in American Son
Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale
Peter Cunningham
Because I admire artists who take chances.
Harvey Fierstein in Hairspray
Harvey Fierstein in HairsprayPaul Kolnik
Because he allowed me to forget that he was a man.
Two-time Tony winner Nathan Lane, who will star in a one-night-only staged reading of The Man Who Came to Dinner next month to benefit the Roundabout Theatre Company, recently released a children's book entitled "Naughty Mabel," which he co-wrote with his husband Devlin Elliott. The Broadway favorite shares the performances that most affected him as part of the audience.
Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of five-time Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald, who is currently celebrating the release of her newest solo recording, "Go Back Home" (Nonesuch Records), with a multi-city concert tour that continues through December.
Playbill.com's feature series Their Favorite Things asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of Olivier and two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone, whose "Favorite Things" are arranged chronologically by female artists, then male artists and, finally, show title.
Tony Award winner Alan Cumming will celebrate his new album, "Alan Cumming Sings Sappy Songs" (due Feb. 5 on the Yellow Sound Label), with a Feb. 8 concert at Carnegie Hall, where he will be joined by Kristin Chenoweth, Darren Criss and Ricki Lake. Here, the Cabaret star shares the performances that most affected him as part of the audience.
Playbill.com's new feature series, Their Favorite Things, asks members of the theatre community to share the Broadway performances that most affected them as part of the audience.
This week we spotlight the choices of multiple Tony winner Harvey Fierstein, who is currently represented on Broadway with the award-winning Newsies at the Nederlander Theatre and Kinky Boots at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. The world premiere of his first play in nearly 30 years, Casa Valentina, will open at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in April 2014, directed by Joe Mantello.
This week we spotlight the choices of Tony winner and Kennedy Center Honoree Barbara Cook, the iconic soprano who starred in the Broadway productions of The Music Man and Candide.
