Photo FeaturesGo Inside the Unveiling of Director Kenny Leon's Portrait at Sardi's
The Tony-winning director joined the New York restaurant’s famed wall of caricatures September 29.
By
Margaret Hall
October 02, 2023
Kenny Leon
Michaelah Reynolds
Beloved (and Tony-winning) director Kenny Leon was honored with a Sardi's caricature September 28.
Leon was joined by the stars of his current Broadway play, Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through The Cotton Patch, with leading lady Kara Young reading a special statement from the unable-to-attend Audra McDonald, and speeches given by Suzan-Lori Parks and Leslie Odom Jr.
Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious has returned to Broadway for its first-ever revival at The Music Box Theatre with Leon at the helm, officially opening September 27 after beginning previews September 7.
The work follows a traveling preacher, Purlie, who returns to his Georgia hometown to save the local church and the cotton pickers working on Ol' Cap'n Cotchiepee's plantation. Davis both wrote and starred in the 1961 original Broadway production, appearing alongside his wife, Ruby Dee. Davis and Dee would go on to reprise their performances in a 1963 film adaptation titled Gone Are the Days!
Check out photos from Leon's special evening below:
Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny Leon, and Leslie Odom, Jr.
Michaelah Reynolds
Samuel L. Jackson, Kenny Leon, and Leslie Odom, Jr.
Michaelah Reynolds
Willa Bost and Kenny Leon
Michaelah Reynolds
Derek McLane and Kenny Leon
Michaelah Reynolds
Kenny Leon and members of Shubert Theatre security
Michaelah Reynolds
Irene Gandy, Kenny Leon, and Joe Machota
Michaelah Reynolds
Irene Gandy, Jonathan McCrory, Derek McLane, Kenny Leon, Suzan-Lori Parks, Sade Lythcott, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeffrey Richards, and company of Purlie Victorious
Michaelah Reynolds
Kenny Leon and Purlie Victorious cast and creative team
Showcasing transgender and gender-expansive artists both on and off the stage, proceeds raised will help combat the bigoted political actions being taken across the US.