Huntington Theatre Company Managing Director Michael Maso announced today that Marion McClinton has resigned as director of the Huntington’s season-opening production of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean due to illness. Kenny Leon, who recently helmed the multi-award-winning Broadway production of A Raisin in the Sun, has taken over for McClinton.

The change in director will delay the run of the production by two weeks. The show now opens in preview on Fri., Sept. 24 and runs through Sat., Oct. 30. Opening night (and press review night) is Wed., Sept. 29. Maso says Huntington subscribers and ticket holders will be contacted next week about rescheduled performances, and up-to-date information can be found on the Huntington website, www.huntingtontheatre.org.

“We are sad to lose the vitality and vision that Marion McClinton brings to his work,” Maso said, “but most important is for him to regain his health, and we understand his decision. All of us wish Marion the best and look forward to working with him again.” Of McClinton’s replacement, Maso said, “We are very fortunate that Kenny Leon is available and interested in stepping in at this time. Kenny is a wonderful director. His history with the Huntington, his reputation in the field, and his successful Broadway debut earlier this year make him the perfect match for this production.”

Leon, 48, will immediately take the reins of the Broadway-bound production of Gem, Maso said. His production of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In the Sun, which ran on Broadway from April 26 to July 11, won 2004 Tony Awards® for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actress in a Play (Phylicia Rashad), and Best Featured Actress in a Play (Audra McDonald). The New York Times called Raisin “The smash hit drama of the spring,” and The Daily News said, “Kenny Leon’s production captures Lorraine Hansberry’s vision powerfully.” Leon served as Artistic Director for the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, Georgia from 1990-2002, and then founded True Colors Theatre Company, a national acting company also based in Atlanta. Leon’s previous Huntington credits include From the Mississippi Delta (1993), A Raisin in the Sun (1994), and Blues for An Alabama Sky (1997, starring Phylicia Rashad).

Due to the change, the Huntington will delay the opening of Gem of the Ocean.

Huntington subscribers will be contacted next week about rescheduled shows. Additional ticket updates will be posted on the Huntington’s website, www.huntingtontheatre.org, as they become available.

About Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon is a highly acclaimed actor, producer, and director whose experience covers the spectrum of television, stage, and film. He is Founder and Artistic Director of True Colors Theatre Company, whose mission is to produce a diverse group of plays from various times, cultures, and perspectives, while preserving the African American classics. He served as Artistic Director of the Atlanta-based Alliance Theatre Company for over a decade and has directed nationally at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, San Jose Repertory Theater, NYSF/Public Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage Company, Arena Stage Company and the Huntington Theatre Company.

Kenny was recently nominated for Outstanding Director by the Drama Desk for his Broadway directorial debut, a revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, which garnered two 2004 Tony Awards and featured Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, Sanaa Lathan, and Phylicia Rashad. Among many other directing credits are: Blue at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; the Alliance Theatre’s world premiere of The Subject Tonight is Love; August Wilson’s Fences, (True Colors Theatre Company’s premiere production); Much Ado About Nothing; Angels in America, Parts I and II; Moon for the Misbegotten; The Piano Lesson; The Glass Menagerie; The Amen Corner; A Streetcar Named Desire; A Christmas Carol; and the world premiere of Pearl Cleage’s Flying West; Blues for an Alabama Sky; and Bourbon at the Border. He made his off-Broadway debut at the New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theatre directing Everybody’s Ruby starring Phylicia Rashad.

As an actor, he originated the role of Citizen in the world premiere of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean, and has had principal roles in The Island, A Christmas Carol, Art, Lonely Planet, A Raisin in the Sun, Master Harold and the Boys, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead, Fool for Love, and Blood Knot. His film work includes roles in Web of Deceit, Big Ain’t Bad, In the Heat of the Night, and HBO’s The Rosa Parks Story. Kenny’s producing credits include the premiere of Elton John’s Aida and Debbie Allen’s Soul Possessed.

Widely recognized for his work, Kenny was chosen as one of the “Top 20 Southerners to Watch” by the Financial Times of London Magazine in September 2003. He was awarded the “Martell Cognac 2003 Rise Above Award” in December 2003, honoring his artistry and entrepreneurial spirit. In May 2004, he was chosen as one of People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People. Kenny also received the 2001 Atlanta Business League Trailblazer Award, the MIT Eugene McDermott Award, the 1995 Elliot Norton Theatre Award for Best Director.

A graduate and honorary Ph.D. of Clark Atlanta University, Kenny is also very active in the community. He is a member of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, he works with Jane Fonda’s Performance Arts Program for Youth and Communities in Schools. In Spring 2003, for the Dekalb County School System in Georgia, he directed Snapshots: From a Decade of Directing American Theatre, a retrospective of his directorial work performed by students from across the county. Kenny is Literary Action Incorporated ’s honorary co-chair for their 35th Anniversary campaign for 2003. Kenny is also a sought after motivational and inspirational speaker with engagements at corporations and youth organizations in Atlanta and elsewhere.

Compiled from the press release courtesy of the Huntington Theatre Company (website | profile | tag archive).

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