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Lee Summers

@leesummers2

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Actor | Writer | Composer | Producer | Teaching Artist
From Broadway to the classroom — still creating

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Sometimes the theatre gives us exactly what we need.

Congratulations to my friend Billy Porter, Wayne Brady, and the extraordinary company of La Cage aux Folles. Billy is fully recovered, singing magnificently, and reminding us why he has always been one of Broadway’s brightest stars.

Watching the audience leap to its feet after “I Am What I Am” felt less like applause and more like affirmation. Billy Porter is back.

Director Robert O’Hara and choreographer Edgar Godineaux have created an unapologetically Black reimagining that is fresh, fearless, hilarious, and deeply moving.

It was also wonderful celebrating the terrific work of Joseph Joubert, Tonya Pinkins, and Michael McElroy, and seeing so many members of my theatre family in attendance, including the legendary Ben Vereen, Jeffery Thompson, Gwen Gilliam, Billy’s wonderful sister Mary, and so many others. A special thanks to my friend Charles Wallace for reminding me to buy a ticket early.

In a world that can feel especially heavy these days, La Cage remains what it has always been—joyful, inclusive, fearless, hilarious, and exactly the kind of comic relief that reminds us why live theatre matters.

Bravo to everyone involved. ❤️ taken in New York City Center by @leesummers2

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3 months ago

Years ago, I stumbled across Durand Bernarr on YouTube.

Long before the Grammy, I knew I was watching a singular artist. I’ve been following his journey ever since.

So it brought me real joy to watch him win his first Grammy for BLOOM. (If you haven’t heard “Overqualified,” start there.)

Then life gave me a full-circle moment.

My dear friend Denise Morgan invited me to the Blue Note to see her “glam son.” He was every bit as authentic, gracious, and gifted as I’d imagined.

I’ve been cheering him on for years.

It’s wonderful to watch the world finally catch up—and to get to tell him so in person.

Congratulations, Durand. taken in Blue Note New York by @leesummers2

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4 months ago

A Sunday morning and James Baldwin reminded me of this moment. 1992. Malcolm X. Directed by Spike Lee. Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington. The legendary Al Freeman Jr. as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Albert Hall as Baines. And me — as the Fruit of Islam, guarding that door. Black History is every day. Have you seen this film? Drop a comment — what does Malcolm X mean to you? #MalcolmX
#BlackHistory
#SpikeLee
#DenzelWashington
#BlackCinema @spikeleejoint @johnlegend by @leesummers2

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5 months ago

🎭 FROM MY HOMETOWN TO MIDNIGHT! ✨

Some moments just make you proud!

Back in 2012, Todrick Hall played Philly in my musical FROM MY HOMETOWN at the Madison Theatre at Molloy College. A role created by Ty Stephens and premiered Off-Broadway by Rodney Hicks of the original Broadway cast of RENT. Now THAT’S some theatrical lineage!

Fourteen years later, one of my FROM MY HOMETOWN babies is making history!

Todrick has written the book, music and lyrics, directed, choreographed, produced AND stars in his original musical MIDNIGHT at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City.

I saw MIDNIGHT, and I loved it! Todrick has created a bold, original, compelling musical filled with imagination and theatricality. GO SEE MIDNIGHT!

Congratulations, Todrick! Keep making history, baby! ❤️

🎟️ MIDNIGHT | Daryl Roth Theatre | 101 E. 15th Street, NYC

And speaking of theatrical history, FROM MY HOMETOWN is now available for licensing through Concord Theatricals!

#TodrickHall #MidnightMusical #FromMyHometown #concordtheatricals taken in The Daryl Roth Theatres by @leesummers2

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2 days ago

🎉 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FREDA PAYNE! ❤️

For more than 20 years, the incomparable Freda Payne and I have shared the journey of Ella, First Lady of Song—and somewhere along the way, my leading lady became family.

Quincy Jones once called her one of the most beautiful women in the world. I’ll add: inside and out.

Freda, thank you for the laughter, the history, the friendship, and for bringing Ella so magnificently to life.

Today, I give you your flowers. 💐

Happy Birthday, my dear friend. I love you. ❤️

#FredaPayne #BandOfGold #GrammyNominee #EllaFirstLadyOfSong #HappyBirthdayFreda by @leesummers2

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a month ago

I don’t know how to write this. My wifie, Leslie Dockery, is gone. And for those who didn’t know, yes, I had a wifie. It’s a long story, and a very good one.

We met in 1980, when we both lived at 55th and Broadway. Leslie was upstairs, I was downstairs, and somewhere between seeing each other at our highest and lowest, a deep and abiding love grew.

She taught me to tap. She sang demos of songs I wrote. We dreamed, created, laughed and survived those grand New York years together. Decades later, when I created From My Hometown, Leslie became part of building that dream, a show that moved Off-Broadway and is still being licensed today.

People often wondered how we became husband and wifie. One night at Cancún Restaurant on Eighth Avenue, a man was flirting with Leslie a little too aggressively. Finally, I turned to him and said, “Why are you speaking to my wife this way?”

And it stuck.

Make no mistake, our imaginary marriage was not open. Leslie was hilarious about other actresses trying to steal her husband. We had loves beyond each other, but our bond was unbreakable.

“We know the rules.”

“I love us.”

Leslie was a Broadway showgirl, dancer, choreographer, director, award-winning artist and force of nature who made history over and over again. But to me, she was my beautiful, hilarious, generous, nurturing, honest, fierce friend and collaborator, my wifie.

And because Leslie spoke about practically everything in theatrical terms, I can almost hear her now regarding Dolly Parton’s passing one day later:

“How dare that diva try to upstage me?”

Sending prayers of strength to her family, to Melody, and to all of us who loved her so dearly.

I had the best wifie, and I will miss her for eternity.

R.I.P. Leslie Dockery.
R.I.P. Dolly. by @leesummers2

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2 months ago

Looking forward to seeing my friend, original Dreamgirls castmate, and Tony Award winner Adriane Lenox in concert.

Friday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m.
The Green Room 42

I’ll be there. Hope to see you there, too. by @leesummers2

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3 months ago

Thirty years ago, I left Indiana by helicopter.
Thirty years later, I came back dancing with Jenifer Lewis.
Earlier this summer, I was in Indianapolis celebrating my mentor’s 90th birthday when fate stepped in. Jenifer was also in town as a guest lecturer for Disney’s Tiana’s Joyful Celebration, and somehow our paths crossed again.
A few years ago, Jenifer survived a devastating fall that shattered her hip. Thirty years ago, I survived a horrific car accident near French Lick, Indiana. Doctors didn’t expect either of us to be dancing again.
And yet, there we were, dancing the Frank Hatchett steps we first performed together in Monte Carlo 30 years ago, alongside my fellow “backup boy,” Todd Hunter, under the musical direction of Lon Hoyt.
The human body is resilient.
Happy Jackie Washington Day, for those who celebrate. 😂❤️
#JeniferLewis #thehumanbodyisresilient #FullCircleMoment #BlackExcellence BlackGirlMagic TianasJoyfulCelebration JackiesBack MadamWalkerLegacyCenter by @leesummers2

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3 months ago

The music. The dreams. The journey.

After productions at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Phoenix Theatre, Houston Ensemble Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, Meadow Brook Theatre, Molloy University, Winter Park Theatre and a two-year Off-Broadway run at New York City’s Gramercy Theatre, my musical From My Hometown is ready for its next home.

Featuring 24 classic Rhythm & Blues and soul hits, From My Hometown tells the story of three young Black men chasing the American Dream through the music that shaped a generation.

• 8 AUDELCO Award nominations
• Produced nationally and Off-Broadway
• Now available for licensing through Concord Theatricals.

Maybe the next hometown is yours.

Visit Concord Theatricals to bring From My Hometown to your stage.

“…this house-rocking party piece.” — Marilyn Stasio, Variety

“‘From My Hometown’ means well, and sometimes it does very well indeed.” — Lawrence Van Gelder, The New York Times

“For music lovers who miss lush melodic line, rich poetry and close harmony, ‘From My Hometown’ is a delight.” — Between the Lines

#FromMyHometown #ConcordTheatricals #MusicalTheatre #RegionalTheatre #BlackTheatre RhythmAndBlues SoulMusic Licensing NewMusicals Theatre by @leesummers2

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4 months ago

Happy Heavenly Father’s Day, Daddy.

Sometimes it takes years to look back and truly see how deeply you were influenced by the man who raised you.

The first thing I’m grateful for is laughter. You always led with humor. I mean, there was an abundance of laughter—from when Sheryl and I were little and you’d turn into the “crazy dog,” chasing, tickling, and scaring us around the house, to the quick-witted banter around the dinner table. I inherited that sense of humor from you, and I’m grateful for it every day.

You created your own business as a carpenter and contractor during the Jim Crow era, south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Having set out in the world with limited formal education, you encouraged each of us to pursue our own happiness and supported us in our individual paths, eventually raising four college graduates. That still amazes me.

Watching you throughout my life—having an idea, sketching it on paper, then building it, delivering it, and being paid for your creativity—became the model for my own life as a creator.

At the tail end of the Jim Crow era, you bought land, built our family home, and gave us a sense of pride that has stayed with all four of us throughout our lives.

You were a great father. As your namesake and a junior, I suppose it was natural that I rebelled and chose a different path. Like many fathers and sons, there were years when we didn’t always see eye to eye. But with the perspective that comes with time, I know I had a wonderful, loving, present father who always did his very best to take care of his family.

For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Happy Father’s Day, Daddy.

You are missed, you are loved, and you are deeply appreciated. by @leesummers2

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4 months ago

Kicked off June performing in the surprisingly wonderful Huntsville, Alabama as part of Voices from Broadway alongside an incredible cast, including Miss America 2026, Cassie Donegan.

Special thanks to my longtime friend, JoLynn Burks, for the invitation and warm Southern hospitality.

Now I’m back in New York directing musical theatre theses at Berklee NYC.

Wishing everyone a Happy Pride and a meaningful Juneteenth! ❤️🏳️‍🌈 by @leesummers2

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4 months ago

by @leesummers2

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