Broadway Director Kenny Leon Opens Theater Doors To New Audiences
Leon's next Broadway project is Holler If Ya Hear Me, a musical based on the songs and poetry of Tupac Shakur. The controversial rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting almost two decades ago. Leon calls him a prophet, but knows his music will be a hard sell on Broadway.
"And we're gonna be at the Palace Theatre, which is where Annie was. And so, to me, to have Holler If Ya Hear Me in the same place that Annie played, it's like, that's what America is about," says Leon. "And I just want folks to give us half a chance. And if they give us half a chance, if they come through the doors, it's gonna be a powerful evening of theater."
Kenny Leon has precious little downtime in the next few months. A Raisin in the Sun is currently up and running. He'll have a Hallmark movie, In My Dreams, on ABC TV on April 20. Holler If Ya Hear Me opens on June 19. And in July, Leon stars with actress Phylicia Rashad in Same Time, Next Year in Atlanta.