Tony-Nominee Liesl Tommy to Direct Film Adaptation Of Trevor Noah's BORN A CRIME

Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is set to direct the upcoming film adaptation of Trevor Noah's BORN A CRIME.

Paramount Players will adapt Noah's memoir, "Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood," as a feature to which Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong'o is attached to star as Trevor's mother, Patricia. Noah will produce the project through his Day Zero Productions alongside Norman Aladjem, Derek Van Pelt and Sanaz Yamin of Mainstay Entertainment, and Nyong'o through her Eba Productions. South African born Liesl Tommy, who earned a Tony nomination for her work directing Nyong'o in the play "Eclipsed," will direct the film.

Tommy is an award-winning director. QUEEN SUGAR marks the beginning of her upcoming film and television directing projects. Her recent Broadway production of Danai Gurira's play ECLIPSED starring Lupita Nyong'o garnered 6 Tony nominations including Best Play. She made history as the first woman of color ever to be nominated for a Tony for Best Director of a Play.

Liesl also recently developed and directed FROZEN LIVE, the multi-media theatrical extravaganza adaptation of the Disney film for the 2000 seat Hyperion Theater in Disneyland. She has built her career defying expectations by directing numerous award-winning productions of Shakespeare, musicals and original material. She was born and raised in Cape Town, South AFRICA and now makes her home in Harlem, NYC.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos