NEWS
CURRENTLY
Will Leonard is playing The Kinks manager Grenville Collins in the North American Premiere of Sunny Afternoon! A musical about The Kinks rise to stardom featuring chart-topping hits like "You Really Got Me" and "Lola" amongst many more.
Winner of four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, this show is sure to rock-and-roll!
Sunny Afternoon is directed by Edward Hall, with original story, music, and lyrics by The Kinks lead vocalist, Ray Davies, and a script by Joe Penhall.
Tickets are going fast, but you can see Will on stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
on Navy Pier until April 27th!
Click here for more information or to get tickets!
BIG NEWS!
Will Leonard, for the very first time in his career, is represented! He recently signed with Gray Talent Group! Based in Chicago, L.A., and NYC, Gray Talent Group works in all areas of the business including theatre, film, television, commercial, voiceover, and animation. Will's hoping this new partnership can bring some exciting things to his career! Check back often for news and updates!
BIOGRAPHY
William (Will) Leonard was born a shy blond boy in La Crosse, Wisconsin hiding behind his parents' legs in public like a scared fawn. He grew up spending most of his time outdoors, and focused his attention on animals, sports, music, and art.
With the intent of becoming a wildlife biologist, Will entered college without any theatre experience. Yet thanks to amazing opportunities and great education he quickly felt at home on the stage. Some of his favorite college roles include John Wilkes Booth in Assassins and Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing.
In addition to performing, Will is proficient in carpentry and has made and repurposed numerous pieces of furniture for personal use, as well as being part of construction crews building sets for many off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway productions in New York City.
Will still loves to spend his time being active in the great outdoors. You might catch him hiking, cycling, canoeing, skiing, riding his dad's old motorcycle, or finding any other reason to be outside. He has completed two half marathons and has a unique desire to help fight wildfires out west.
While he's still blond, when performing Will's shyness fades. He's been the lead singer of a British Invasion tribute band, he recorded the voiceover for a German art film bringing awareness about dementia, and after playing Orville Wright in a new musical, Will can be heard on the original cast album of Brothers Wright (a folktale with songs).
On stage, Will has been fortunate to perform with two National Tours, Disney Cruise Line, and at many professional theaters around the country. Some of his favorite roles include Will Parker in Oklahoma!, Frankie in Forever Plaid, Lt. Joseph Cable in South Pacific, Kenickie in Grease, and Frankincense in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
VIDEOS
DID YOU KNOW?
Will Leonard tied for second place at the 2023 National US Air Guitar Championship in Denver, CO!!!
(Yes, you read that right; AIR Guitar, as in 'not-there' guitar,
as in 'imaginary' guitar. And it's epic!)
After being in a production of Airness by Chelsea Marcantel, Will created his own air guitar
persona, AIR VENTURA FRET DETECTIVE,
based on the beloved Jim Carrey character.
click here for more information about US Air Guitar!
Watch his EPIC performance now!
CONTACT
VISIT
Will's Pages
Contact
or leave a note right here!
Will's Agency
(312) 663-1659
PRESS
"Will Leonard plays Will Parker, and is full of vigor and personality. Leonard is a joy to watch, and I appreciated his performance in "Kansas City" where he shows off his dancing, singing, and lassoing skills."
-Kelli Curtain, TheatreSensation
“The stand out performance was WILL LEONARD as Harry Beaton. His steely faced sword dance was both hilarious and really menacing."
-Rosie Roche, Chicago Stage and Screen
"[Will] Leonard as Tom [Sawyer] is a tousle-haired dynamo who captures your attention from his first entrance to the final curtain call. Leonard's acting, singing and dancing are quite simply 'great'!"
-Marsha Wagner, Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander
"Among a collection of somewhat-stereotypical teens...standouts in the cast are Will Leonard as the stud Kenickie."
-Julie McHale, Timeout Theater Critic, gmtoday
"Will Leonard, playing a caveman ancestor of the Addams, practically absconds with all of the audience’s attention despite having no dialogue…From his first entrance to his last exit, Leonard hits a home run – showing that all you need to do to stand out in the ensemble is to be amazing.”
-Rikki Lee Travolta, Life and Times, Chicago
"As Frankie, WILL LEONARD is the pseudo leader of the group and has a natural connection with the audience, delivering some lovely vocals."
-Gil Benbrook, Talkin’ Broadway
"[Will] Leonard is quite menacing as a hot-tempered Jet named Action."
-David N. Dunkle, PennLive
