Kenny Leon among Atlanta nominees for this year’s Tony Awards

“We are immensely proud of the accomplishments of our distinguished alumnus, Kenny Leon, and his significant contributions to the arts and theater industry,” said Charlene Gilbert, dean and senior vice president for academic affairs at Clark Atlanta, in a press release. “Mr. Léon’s exceptional career is a testament to creative excellence and a source of inspiration for all our students who aspire to a career in the arts.

In 2020, Leon was nominated for Best Director of a Play for “A Soldier’s Play,” which won the Tony for Best Revival of a Play.

“Purlie Victorious” is nominated for six Tony Awards at this year’s ceremony. He joins “Water for Elephants,” which premiered at the Alliance Theater last June. The musical, based on Sara Gruen’s bestselling 2006 novel, received seven nominations. The story centers on a man who finds a new home in a traveling circus during the Great Depression. Directed by Jessica Stone, musical stars Grant Gustin and Isabelle McCalla.

Ariana DeBose will return to host the Tony Awards on Sunday. The Oscar winner, who hosted the previous two years, will produce and choreograph the opening number. “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic” are the plays leading the pack, each nominated for 13 awards. The first is loosely based on the life of singer Alicia Keys (who composed the music for the play), and the second, with music written by Will Butler of Arcade Fire, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the album of a rock band in the 1970s.

Angelina Jolie, Nick Jonas, Cynthia Erivo, Idina Menzel and Jennifer Hudson are among the show’s presenters.

77th Tony Awards

8 p.m. Sunday June 16 on CBS. Will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.