Playwright & Screenwriter
Plays & Musicals
Who Killed Joan Crawford
"Surprising, amusing!
Leaves you wanting more"
—Palm Beach New Times
The First Step
"Engaging and moving blend of autobiography and invention
—SunSentinel"
Starmaker
"Intelligent and comprehensive!
...fascinating characters"
—Around Townn Magazine
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Cast: 7
(Dramatists Play Service, Inc.)
The fabulous songs of Johnny Burke are here perfectly woven into various settings and scenes as if they always belonged there. We move from a smoky 1920s Chicago Speakeasy, where we hear such songs as “Dr. Rhythm” and “What’s New” to the Bowery for the classic “Pennies from Heaven” and others. The ever popular “Your Hit Parade” takes us into the 1930s, segueing into a World War II USO show for several songs including “Personality” and culminating with the Academy Award winning “Swinging on a Star.” The journey continues to a glittering ballroom for the immortal “Imagination” and then takes us into the world of Paramount’s Hope/Crosby/Lamour “Road Movies” and the songs they made famous. The evening ends in the Starlight Supperclub, high atop Manhattan, with a celebration of Burke’s genius. Other favorite songs included are “Misty,” “You’re Not the Only Oyster in the Stew,” “Ain’t It a Shame About Mame,” “Scatterbrain,” “One, Two, Button Your Shoe,” “An Apple for the Teacher,” “There’s Always the Blues,” “Apalachicola,” “But, Beautiful,” “Like Someone in Love,” “If Love Ain’t There (It Ain’t There),” “Sunday, Monday, or Always,” and “Here’s That Rainy Day."
Screenplays
Co-written with Director Linda Yellen
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About Michael Leeds
Bio
Michael Leeds, a Tony® nominated, award-winning playwright and screenwriter, is garnering attention in the entertainment industry with an illustrious career that spans both theater and film. His latest project, co-writing and Executive Producing "One Stupid Thing," has recently wrapped up Principal Photography, featuring a stellar cast including Jack White, Sky Katz, and Corey Fogelmanis.
Leeds' extensive portfolio in theater have resonated nationwide, including directing and writing the book for the Tony® nominated musical "Swinging On A Star," "The First Step," "Who Killed Joan Crawford?," "Impressions" "The Gift," "Starmaker," "Mira," and an adaptation of Cole Porter’s "Red, Hot And Blue." Additionally, Leeds has showcased his musical talent by co-writing the book, music, and lyrics for "Mating Habits of the Urban Mammal."
Originating as a dancer and actor on Broadway, Leeds refined his craft under the guidance of luminaries like Gower Champion, Ron Field, Martin Charnin, and Martin Scorsese. His evolution into directing, choreography, and writing has left an indelible mark on the industry. Noteworthy directorial achievements include the aforementioned Tony Award-nominated "Swinging On A Star" on Broadway and the Drama Desk Award-nominated "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah - The Songs of Allan Sherman," starring Tovah Feldshuh.
Leeds' influence extends to Off-Broadway, where he directed and choreographed productions such as "Showing Off" with Donna Murphy and revivals of classics like Kander & Ebb’s "70, Girls, 70" and Lerner & Lane’s "Carmelina." He directed the European Premiere of Arthur Miller’s "Playing For Time," earning the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival First Award. Leeds has also made significant contributions to the opera world, directing and choreographing productions for Houston Grand Opera and Florida Grand Opera.
In the film industry, Leeds has left a lasting impact. He choreographed End of Summer starring Jacqueline Bisset & Peter Weller, co-wrote with Linda Yellen The Simian Line starring William Hurt, Lynn Redgrave and Tyne Daly, The Last Film Festival starring Dennis Hopper and Jacqueline Bisset, Showtime’s Fluidity starring Nico Tortorella and Chantilly Bridge (Amazon) starring Lindsay Crouse, Jill Eikenberry, Ally Sheedy, Talia Shire, Helen Slater and JoBeth Williams.
Now based in South Florida as well as NYC, Leeds continues to contribute to the cultural scene as a writer and director at various theaters, earning accolades such as Carbonell and Silver Palm Awards. His current role as the Associate Artistic Director at Island City Stage in Fort Lauderdale, underscores his commitment to enriching the arts.
Best New Work
Palm Beach New Times
for Who Killed Joan Crawford
Best New Musical
Tony® Award-nomination
for Swinging on a Star
Best Director
Carbonell Awards
for The Time Keepers
at Island City Stage
Media Gallery
Plays & Musical Sizzle Reels
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Sample Songs
Production Photos