Thomas Kail
Thomas Kail (born January 20, 1977)[1] is an American theatre director, known for directing the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musicals In the Heights[2] and Hamilton, garnering the 2016 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical for the latter. Kail was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2018.
Thomas Kail | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 20, 1977 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Director |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Director, 2015 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Musical, 2016 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (for Hamilton) |
Personal life Edit
Kail grew up in Alexandria, Virginia[3] and graduated from Sidwell Friends School in 1995 and subsequently from Wesleyan University in 1999.[4][5] He remains good friends with Lin-Manuel Miranda, with whom he co-created the freestyle hip-hop group Freestyle Love Supreme.[6][7] Kail is Jewish.[8]
Kail began a relationship with theatre actress Angela Christian in 2006; they divorced in 2019.[9][10][11] In December 2019, it was announced that he was engaged to Fosse/Verdon actress Michelle Williams, who was expecting their first child together;[12] they married in March 2020.[13] Their son, Hart, was born by June that year.[13] In May 2022, Williams revealed she is pregnant with their second child together.
Kail and Williams are raising their two young children with Judaism, and Williams (who is not Jewish) is studying the religion herself.[14] Williams also has a daughter from a previous relationship with the late actor Heath Ledger.[15]
Career Edit
After graduating from Wesleyan University, Kail became assistant stage manager at New Jersey's American Stage Company.[16]
Kail directed the 24 Hour Plays benefit performances in 2007 and 2008, where "6 short plays are written, rehearsed, directed, and performed in 24 hours."[17] In 2007, he directed Julia Jordan's A Bus Stop Play, and Beau Willimon's Zusammenbruch in 2008. Both shows played at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.[18]
Kail directed the hit Broadway musical In the Heights, which garnered him a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Musical.[19] The musical premiered on Broadway, starting in previews on February 14, 2008, with an official opening on March 9, 2008, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.[20]
Kail directed Broke-ology, which played from October 5, 2009, to November 22, 2009, at the Lincoln Center Theater Off-Broadway. This play garnered Kail an AUDELCO Award nomination for Best Director of a Dramatic Production.[21] Kail also staged the world premiere at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.[22] In 2009, Kail also directed the New York City Center's Encores! production of the musical The Wiz.[23][24][25]
Kail directed Eric Simonson's play Lombardi, based on Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi through a week in the 1965 season, as he attempts to lead his team to the championship.[26][27][28] Lombardi officially premiered on Broadway at the Circle in the Square Theatre on October 21, 2010.[29]
He then directed the Off-Broadway run of Nathan Louis Jackson's When I Come to Die, which ran in January and February 2011.[22][30]
Kail reunited with Lombardi playwright Eric Simonson on Magic/Bird, a new play chronicling the intertwined life stories of basketball Hall of Famers Larry Bird and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. The play premiered on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on March 21, 2012, in previews, officially on April 11, 2012, and closed on May 12, 2012. Kail directed, with the cast that featured Kevin Daniels as "Magic" Johnson and Tug Coker as Larry Bird.[31]
Kail continued his collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, directing the musical Hamilton in 2015, both Off-Broadway and on Broadway, for which he won a Tony Award.[32]
Kail directed Grease: Live for Paramount Television, screened live on Fox on January 31, 2016;[33] the world premiere of Dry Powder with Hank Azaria, Claire Danes, John Krasinski and Sanjit De Silva which ran from March to May 2016 at The Public Theater in New York City;[34] and Tiny Beautiful Things, also at The Public, from November to December 2016.
On July 5, 2018, FX announced an eight-episode order for a limited-series entitled Fosse/Verdon, with Sam Rockwell playing the role of Bob Fosse and Michelle Williams playing the role of Gwen Verdon. On October 25, 2018, it was reported that Thomas Kail would direct at least four of the series' eight episodes and he would go on to direct a total of five episodes. Kail was nominated for Outstanding Directing – Movies for Television and Limited Series by the Directors Guild of America for the episode "Nowadays."
In May 2023, it was announced that Kail would direct a live action adaptation of the Disney animated film Moana, making his narrative feature directorial debut.[35]
Credits Edit
Film and television Edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Critical Hours | Director, writer, executive producer | Television pilot |
| 2008 | Roadtrip Nation | Himself | TV episode |
| 2009 | Storymakers | Director | TV episode |
| In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams | Himself | Episode of PBS' Great Performances | |
| The Electric Company | Musical director | TV series | |
| 2010 | The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special | Director | Talk show episode |
| 2012 | 2 Broke Girls | Director | TV series 3 episodes |
| 2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | Director | TV series 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Grease: Live | Director, co-executive producer | Live TV special |
| 2019 | Fosse/Verdon | Director, executive producer | TV miniseries 5 episodes |
| 2020 | Hamilton[36] | Director, producer | Filmed stage production |
| 2023 | Up Here | Director | 2 episodes |
| TBA | Silver Wings[37] | Director | Feature film |
| TBA | Fiddler on the Roof[38] | Director, producer | Feature film |
Theater Edit
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | In the Heights | Director | Eugene O'Neill Theater Center | Regional |
| 2007 | 37 Arts Theater | Off-Broadway | ||
| The 24 Hour Plays | American Airlines Theatre | Broadway | ||
| 2008 | In the Heights | Richard Rodgers Theatre | ||
| 2009 | Broke-ology | Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre | Off-Broadway | |
| In the Heights | Various | US Tour | ||
| 2010 | Lombardi | Circle in the Square | Broadway | |
| 2011 | When I Come to Die | Duke on 42nd Street | Off-Broadway | |
| In the Heights | Various | US Tour | ||
| 2012 | Magic/Bird | Longacre Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2014 | Faust: The Concert | Performer | City Center | |
| 2015 | Hamilton | Director | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway |
| 2016 | Dry Powder | |||
| Daphne's Dive | Signature Center | |||
| 2016–present | Hamilton | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway | |
| Various | US Tour | |||
| 2016 | Tiny Beautiful Things | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway | |
| 2017–present | Hamilton | Victoria Palace Theatre | West End | |
| 2018 | Kings | The Public Theater | Off-Broadway | |
| 2019–2020 | Freestyle Love Supreme | Director, producer | Greenwich House Theatre | |
| 2019 | Derren Brown: Secret | Director | Cort Theatre | Broadway |
| Freestyle Love Supreme | Booth Theatre | |||
| The Wrong Man | Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space | Off-Broadway | ||
| 2023 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre | Broadway |
Awards and nominations Edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | In the Heights | Nominated | [39] |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Nominated | |||
| SDC Joseph A. Callaway Award | Best Director | Won | [40] | ||
| 2008 | Tony Award | Best Director of a Musical | Nominated | [41] | |
| 2010 | AUDELCO Award | Best Director of a Dramatic Production | Broke-ology | Nominated | |
| 2011 | NAACP Award | Best Director of a Musical | In the Heights | Won | |
| AUDELCO Award | Best Director of a Dramatic Production | When I Come To Die | Nominated | [42] | |
| 2014 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Play | Family Furniture | Nominated | [39] |
| 2015 | Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Director | Hamilton | Won | [43] |
| Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Nominated | [39] | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Won | |||
| 2016 | Tony Award | Best Direction of a Musical | Won | [44] | |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Special Class Program | Grease: Live | Won | [45] | |
| Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special | Won | ||||
| 2018 | Laurence Olivier Award | Best Director | Hamilton | Nominated | [46] |
| Kennedy Center Honors (shared with Andy Blankenbuehler, Alex Lacamoire and Lin-Manuel Miranda) | Honoree | [47] | |||
| 2019 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Limited Series | Fosse/Verdon | Nominated | [45] |
| Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special | Fosse/Verdon (Episode: "Who's Got the Pain?") | Nominated | |||
| 2020 | Grammy Awards | Best Music Film | We Are Freestyle Love Supreme | Nominated | [48] |
| Directors Guild of America Award | Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film | Fosse/Verdon (Episode: "Nowadays") | Nominated | [49] | |
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | The Wrong Man | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Directors Guild of America Award | Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film | Hamilton | Nominated | [50] |
| Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) | Won | [45] | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Nominated | ||||
| 2023 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Won | |
References Edit
- ^ “Thomas Kail”, Internet Broadway Database.
- ^ Bacalzo, Daniel. "In the Heights Director Thomas Kail Receives Martin E. Segal Award". Theatre Mania. May 10, 2010.
- ^ "Thomas Kail" July 17, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Lincoln Center Theater. July 31, 2009.
- ^ American Theatre Wing. "Biographies – Thomas Kail, Director" May 21, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, June 2009.
- ^ . Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ "Playbill's Who's Who Biographies" December 6, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "In the Heights Lin-Manuel Miranda Sets Freestyle Love Supreme Date at Irving Plaza" January 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill. January 5, 2011.
- ^ "Hamilton Highlights Jewish Talent — Detroit Jewish News". February 27, 2019.
- ^ "A Grand Opening for the Roundabout's Heartbreak House". Broadway.com. October 11, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "2016 Tony Awards - He/She Said What?! Relive the Acceptance Speeches: Updating LIVE!". BroadwayWorld. June 12, 2016. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ "Hamilton director Thomas Kail arrives for Kennedy Center Honors Gala in Washington DC". UPI. December 8, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ Fernandez, Alexia (December 30, 2019). "Michelle Williams Is Pregnant and Engaged to Hamilton Director Thomas Kail". People Magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
- ^ a b Waterhouse, Jonah (June 18, 2020). "Michelle Williams Gives Birth to Her Second Child in Lockdown". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- ^ "Michelle Williams, who plays Steven Spielberg's mother in 'The Fabelmans,' says she plans to raise her children Jewish". November 25, 2022.
- ^ Lang, Brent (May 10, 2022). "Michelle Williams Pregnant With Third Child: 'It's Totally Joyous'". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
- ^ "Thomas Kail" broadway.com
- ^ The Broadway League. 24 Hour Plays (2007) | IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information. Internet Broadway Database
- ^ The Broadway League. 24 Hour Plays (2008) | IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information. Internet Broadway Database
- ^ Kennedy, Mark. "Thomas Kail Enjoying His 'Year of Transition'". ABC News. December 10, 2010.
- ^ Kenneth Jones. "In the Heights Will Play Broadway's Richard Rodgers Starting February 2008" September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.
- ^ Brokeology. Lortel Archives/Internet Off-Broadway Database.
- ^ a b Hetrick, Adam. Tony Nominee Kail and Jackson Will Collaborate for Upcoming LCT3 Season June 16, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Playbill.
- ^ "Thomas Kail to Direct The Wiz for New York City Center" TheaterMania. February 24, 2009.
- ^ NY City Center's The Wiz listing
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "The Wiz Ends Limited City Center Engagement July 5", playbill.com, July 5, 2009.
- ^ . nytimes.com. August 20, 2010. Archived from the original on August 24, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
- ^ Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth. "Heights Director Kail to Direct Football-Themed Lombardi at Broadway's Circle in the Square" June 19, 2010, at the Wayback Machine, playbill.com, April 14, 2010.
- ^ Murray, Larry (May 18, 2010). "Lombardi". Berkshire On Stage. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ "Lombardi, IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information". The Broadway League. Retrieved December 11, 2010.
- ^ When I Come To Die. Lortel Archives/Internet Off-Broadway Database.
- ^ "Magic/Bird Broadway" playbillvault.com, accessed September 26, 2015.
- ^ "Thomas Kail Broadway" playbillvault.com, accessed September 25, 2015.
- ^ "Grease:Live, About the Show" fox.com. Accessed February 2, 2016.
- ^ "The Verdict: What Do Critics Think of Dry Powder?" by Olivia Clement, Playbill, March 23, 2016.
- ^ Kit, Borys (May 31, 2023). "Disney's Live-Action 'Moana' Taps 'Hamilton' Helmer Thomas Kail as Director". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Radulovic, Petrana (February 3, 2020). "Disney releasing filmed version of Hamilton in theaters in 2021". Polygon. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (April 19, 2017). "'Hamilton' Director to Helm WWII Female Pilots Movie 'Silver Wings'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ "MGM Taps 'Hamilton' Director Thomas Kail for Movie Adaptation of Iconic 'Fiddler on the Roof'". May 28, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Thomas Kail". Playbill. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "The Joe A. Callaway Award | Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation". Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "2008 Tony Award Winners". The New York Times. June 15, 2008. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "AUDELCO nominations are out!". amsterdamnews.com. November 2, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (May 11, 2015). "'Hamilton' Dominates the 2015 Lucille Lortel Awards (FULL LIST)". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Tony awards 2016 - complete list of winners". the Guardian. June 12, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Thomas Kail". Television Academy. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "'Hamilton' Finds Success In The West End With Seven Laurence Olivier Awards". Contactmusic.com. April 9, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (July 25, 2018). "Hamilton Creators Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Andy Blankenbuehler, Alex Lacamoire Will Receive Special Kennedy Center Honors". Playbill. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Willman, Chris (November 24, 2020). "Grammy Awards Nominations 2021: The Complete List". Variety. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (January 26, 2020). "Sam Mendes Wins DGA Award for '1917': Full Winners List". IndieWire. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Dixon, Marcus James (April 10, 2021). "2021 DGA Awards: Full winners list in 3 film and 8 TV categories". GoldDerby. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
External links Edit
- Thomas Kail at the Internet Broadway Database
- Thomas Kail at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Thomas Kail at IMDb