Thomas Kail
Thomas Kail | |
---|---|
Born | Alexandria, Virginia,U.S. | January 20, 1977
Occupation(s) | Theatre and television director |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Thomas Kail(born January 20, 1977)[1]is an American theatre and television director, known for directing theOff-BroadwayandBroadwayproductions ofLin-Manuel Miranda's musicalsIn the Heights[2]andHamilton,garnering the 2016Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musicalfor the latter. Kail was awarded theKennedy Center Honorin 2018. He has also directed the television seriesFosse/Verdon(2019), for which he was nominated for twoPrimetime Emmy Awards.
Personal life
[edit]Kail grew up inAlexandria, Virginia[3]and graduated fromSidwell Friends Schoolin 1995 and subsequently fromWesleyan Universityin 1999.[4][5]He remains good friends withLin-Manuel Miranda,with whom he co-created, along with Anthony Veneziale, thefreestylehip-hopgroupFreestyle Love Supreme.[6][7]Kail is Jewish.[8]
Kail began a relationship withtheatre actressAngela Christianin 2006; they divorced in 2019.[9][10][11]In December 2019, it was announced that he was engaged toFosse/VerdonactressMichelle 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, who was born later in 2022.[14]
Kail and Williams are raising their two young children with Judaism, and Williams (who is not Jewish) is studying the religion herself.[15]Williams also has a daughter from a previous relationship with Heath Ledger.[16]
Career
[edit]After graduating from Wesleyan University, Kail became assistant stage manager at New Jersey's American Stage Company.[17]
Kail directed the24 Hour Playsbenefit performances in 2007 and 2008, where "6 short plays are written, rehearsed, directed, and performed in 24 hours."[18]In 2007, he directed Julia Jordan'sA Bus Stop Play,andBeau Willimon'sZusammenbruchin 2008. Both shows played at theAmerican Airlines TheatreonBroadway.[19]
Kail directed the hitBroadway musicalIn the Heights,which garnered him aTony Awardnomination forBest Direction of a Musical.[20]The musical premiered on Broadway, starting inpreviewson February 14, 2008, with an official opening on March 9, 2008, at theRichard Rodgers Theatre.[21]
Kail directedBroke-ology,which played from October 5, 2009, to November 22, 2009, at theLincoln Center TheaterOff-Broadway. This play garnered Kail anAUDELCOAward nomination for Best Director of a Dramatic Production.[22]Kail also staged the world premiere at theWilliamstown Theatre Festival.[23]In 2009, Kail also directed theNew York City Center'sEncores!production of the musicalThe Wiz.[24][25][26]
Kail directedEric Simonson's playLombardi,based onGreen Bay PackerscoachVince Lombardithrough a week in the 1965 season, as he attempts to lead his team to the championship.[27][28][29]Lombardiofficially premiered onBroadwayat theCircle in the Square Theatreon October 21, 2010.[30]
He then directed the Off-Broadway run of Nathan Louis Jackson'sWhen I Come to Die,which ran in January and February 2011.[23][31]
Kail reunited withLombardiplaywright Eric Simonson onMagic/Bird,a new play chronicling the intertwined life stories of basketball Hall of FamersLarry BirdandEarvin "Magic" Johnson.The play premiered on Broadway at theLongacre Theatreon 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.[32]
Kail continued his collaboration with Lin-Manuel Miranda, directing the musicalHamiltonin 2015, both Off-Broadway and on Broadway, for which he won aTony Award.[33]
Kail directedGrease: LiveforParamount Television,screened live onFoxon January 31, 2016;[34]the world premiere ofDry PowderwithHank Azaria,Claire Danes,John KrasinskiandSanjit De Silvawhich ran from March to May 2016 atThe Public Theaterin New York City;[35]andTiny Beautiful Things,also atThe Public,from November to December 2016.
On July 5, 2018, FX announced an eight-episode order for a limited-series entitledFosse/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 alive action adaptationof the Disney animated filmMoana,making his narrative feature directorial debut.[36]He is also attached to direct and co-produce the remake ofFiddler on the RoofforAmazon MGM Studios.[37]
Filmography
[edit]Film
Television
[edit]Year | Title | Director | Executive Producer |
Writer | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 | Critical Hours | Yes | Yes | Yes | TV pilot |
2009 | Storymakers | Yes | No | No | |
The Electric Company | Yes | No | No | Musical director | |
2010 | The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special | Yes | No | No | |
2012 | 2 Broke Girls | Yes | No | No | 3 episodes |
2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | Yes | No | No | 2 episodes |
2016 | Grease: Live | Yes | Co-executive | No | TV special |
2019 | Fosse/Verdon | Yes | Yes | No | 5 episodes |
2023 | Up Here | Yes | No | No | 2 episodes |
2024 | We Were the Lucky Ones | Yes | No | No | 2 episodes |
As himself
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2008 | Roadtrip Nation | TV episode |
2009 | In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams | Episode ofPBS'Great Performances |
Theater
[edit]Director
Year | Title | Venue | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | In the Heights | 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 |
2015 | Hamilton | 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(Also producer) | Greenwich House Theatre | |
2019 | Derren Brown: Secret | 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 |
Performer
Year | Title | Venue |
---|---|---|
2014 | Faust: The Concert | City Center |
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 withAndy Blankenbuehler,Alex LacamoireandLin-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 HeightsDirector Thomas Kail Receives Martin E. Segal Award ".Theatre Mania.May 10, 2010.
- ^"Thomas Kail"ArchivedJuly 17, 2011, at theWayback Machine.Lincoln Center Theater. July 31, 2009.
- ^American Theatre Wing."Biographies – Thomas Kail, Director"ArchivedMay 21, 2011, at theWayback Machine,June 2009.
- ^"Video: Thomas Kail '99 on directing Lombardi: A New American Play - Voices of Wesleyan - Wesleyan University".Archived fromthe originalon May 21, 2011.RetrievedMay 7,2011.
- ^"Playbill's Who's Who Biographies"ArchivedDecember 6, 2010, at theWayback Machine
- ^Hetrick, Adam."In the HeightsLin-Manuel Miranda Sets Freestyle Love Supreme Date at Irving Plaza "ArchivedJanuary 8, 2011, at theWayback 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.October 11, 2006.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"2016 Tony Awards - He/She Said What?! Relive the Acceptance Speeches: Updating LIVE!".BroadwayWorld.June 12, 2016.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^"Hamilton director Thomas Kail arrives for Kennedy Center Honors Gala in Washington DC".UPI.December 8, 2018.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.
- ^Fernandez, Alexia (December 30, 2019)."Michelle Williams Is Pregnant and Engaged to Hamilton Director Thomas Kail".People Magazine.RetrievedDecember 30,2019.
- ^abWaterhouse, Jonah (June 18, 2020)."Michelle Williams Gives Birth to Her Second Child in Lockdown".Harper's Bazaar.RetrievedJune 19,2020.
- ^"Michelle Williams Gives Birth to Baby No. 3".Entertainment Tonight.RetrievedNovember 11,2023.
- ^"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.RetrievedMay 10,2022.
- ^"Thomas Kail"broadway
- ^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 HeightsWill Play Broadway's Richard Rodgers Starting February 2008 "ArchivedSeptember 30, 2007, at theWayback Machine.Playbill.
- ^Brokeology.Lortel Archives/Internet Off-Broadway Database.
- ^abHetrick, Adam.Tony Nominee Kail and Jackson Will Collaborate for Upcoming LCT3 SeasonArchivedJune 16, 2010, at theWayback Machine.Playbill.
- ^"Thomas Kail to DirectThe Wizfor New York City Center "TheaterMania.February 24, 2009.
- ^NY City Center'sThe Wizlisting
- ^Gans, Andrew."The WizEnds Limited City Center Engagement July 5 ",playbill, July 5, 2009.
- ^"N.F.L. Gets BehindLombardi".nytimes.August 20, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon August 24, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 16,2010.
- ^Gans, Andrew and Jones, Kenneth."HeightsDirector Kail to Direct Football-ThemedLombardiat Broadway's Circle in the Square "ArchivedJune 19, 2010, at theWayback Machine,playbill, April 14, 2010.
- ^Murray, Larry (May 18, 2010)."Lombardi".Berkshire On Stage.RetrievedDecember 11,2010.
- ^"Lombardi,IBDB: The Official Source for Broadway Information ".The Broadway League.RetrievedDecember 11,2010.
- ^When I Come To Die.Lortel Archives/Internet Off-Broadway Database.
- ^"Magic/BirdBroadway "playbillvault, accessed September 26, 2015.
- ^"Thomas Kail Broadway"playbillvault, accessed September 25, 2015.
- ^"Grease:Live, About the Show"fox.Accessed February 2, 2016.
- ^"The Verdict: What Do Critics Think ofDry 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.RetrievedMay 31,2023.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (May 28, 2020)."MGM Taps 'Hamilton' Director Thomas Kail for Movie Adaptation of Iconic 'Fiddler on the Roof'".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on May 28, 2020.RetrievedMay 28,2020.
- ^Radulovic, Petrana (February 3, 2020)."Disney releasing filmed version of Hamilton in theaters in 2021".Polygon.RetrievedFebruary 29,2020.
- ^abc"Thomas Kail".Playbill.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"The Joe A. Callaway Award | Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation".RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"2008 Tony Award Winners".The New York Times.June 15, 2008.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"AUDELCO nominations are out!".amsterdamnews.November 2, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^Cox, Gordon (May 11, 2015)."'Hamilton' Dominates the 2015 Lucille Lortel Awards (FULL LIST) ".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"Tony awards 2016 - complete list of winners".the Guardian.June 12, 2016.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^abc"Thomas Kail".Television Academy.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^"'Hamilton' Finds Success In The West End With Seven Laurence Olivier Awards ".Contactmusic.April 9, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 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.RetrievedJuly 26,2018.
- ^Willman, Chris (November 24, 2020)."Grammy Awards Nominations 2021: The Complete List".Variety.RetrievedNovember 24,2020.
- ^Lattanzio, Ryan (January 26, 2020)."Sam Mendes Wins DGA Award for '1917': Full Winners List".IndieWire.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
- ^Dixon, Marcus James (April 10, 2021)."2021 DGA Awards: Full winners list in 3 film and 8 TV categories".GoldDerby.RetrievedSeptember 9,2021.
External links
[edit]- American theatre directors
- Broadway theatre directors
- Wesleyan University alumni
- Living people
- American hip hop musicians
- American freestyle musicians
- American television directors
- Jewish American musicians
- People from Alexandria, Virginia
- Primetime Emmy Award winners
- Tony Award winners
- 1978 births
- Kennedy Center honorees