Kevin Adams
Birth Place: Pampa, TX, USA
Video: JoJo Sings From CHESS & Shares Reaction to Production Closing with Lea Michele (May 27, 2026)
JoJo Was Set to Start CHESS Rehearsals the Day They Announced Closing (May 27, 2026)
CHESS Will Close Early on Broadway (May 26, 2026)
BIO
Four-time Tony winner Kevin Adams has designed SpongeBob SquarePants (Tony nom.), Head Over Heels, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Tony and Outer Critics Award), American Idiot (Tony Award), Spring Awakening (Tony Award; Olivier nom for the West End production), Next To Normal (Tony nom), The 39 Steps (Tony and Drama Desk Awards), Hair (Tony nom), Man And Boy, Everyday Rapture, Passing Strange, Take Me Out, A Class Act, Hedda Gabler with Kate Burton, solo shows by Eve Ensler and John Leguizamo.
Off-Broadway he has worked on the original production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, The Scottsboro Boys, Rent, Carrie, new work by Edward Albee, Eric Bogosian, Christopher Durang, Richard Greenberg, Tony Kushner, Terrence McNally, Neil Simon, Anna Deveare Smith and Paula Vogel.
His work has also been seen at the Metropolitan Opera, Steppenwolf Theatre, Yale Rep, Berkeley Rep, Donmar Warehouse, and City Center Encores!
On screen, he's worked on Mildred Pierce (HBO), Audra McDonald in concert (Town Hall, Joe's Pub, Lincoln Center), staged concerts featuring Patti Lupone (Gypsy, Candide, Anyone Can Whistle, Sunday in the Park with George and Regina) and Blue Man Group in Las Vegas and the Hollywood Bowl.
For his work off-Broadway he has received an Obie for sustained excellence and two Lucille Lortel awards.
Photos
Productions
Movies
[ 2018 ] writer
Awards and Nominations
Kevin Adams, Chess
Kevin Adams, Swept Away
Kevin Adams, Swept Away
Kevin Adams, The Cher Show
Kevin Adams, SpongeBob SquarePants
Kevin Adams, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical
winner
Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
winner
Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
winner
Kevin Adams, American Idiot
Kevin AdamsSpring Awakening
Kevin Adams, The Scottsboro Boys
winner
Kevin Adams, American Idiot
winner
Kevin Adams, American Idiot
winner
Kevin Adams, American Idiot
Kevin AdamsHair Jules
Kevin Adams, Hair
winner
Kevin Adams, Hair
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Kevin Adams, Hair
winner
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
Kevin Adams, Next to Normal
Kevin Adams, Passing Strange
winner
Kevin Adams, The 39 Steps
winner
Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening
winner
Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening
winner
Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening
winner
Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening
Kevin Adams, Some Men
winner
Kevin Adams, Spring Awakening
winner
Kevin Adams, Take Me Out
winner
Kevin Adams
winner
Kevin Adams, The Mineola Twins
Kevin Adams, Henry V
Videos
Videos: CHESS Audience Celebrate Tony Nominees With Thunderous Applause
by Michael Major - 2026-05-06 10:26:52
Exclusive: Watch the Cast of CHESS Perform Golden Bangkok on Broadway
by Michael Major - 2026-04-14 12:45:52
Video: Bryce Pinkham and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'The Arbiter' on KELLY CLARKSON
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-27 10:09:30
Video: 'Addio, del passato' from Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-25 13:19:26
Video: First Look at Michael Mayer-Directed LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera
by Joshua Wright - 2026-03-24 12:19:07
Video: Watch Lea Michele and the Cast of CHESS Perform 'Nobody's Side' on THE LATE SHOW
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-03-18 10:07:26
Photos/Video: SWEPT AWAY Original Broadway Cast Reunion Concert
by Stephi Wild - 2025-04-29 09:56:48
SWEPT AWAY Original Broadway Cast Recording Will Be Released in February
by Stephi Wild - 2024-12-03 09:13:45
Video: The Avett Brothers Perform During SWEPT AWAY Opening Night Curtain Call
by Stephi Wild - 2024-11-20 07:44:29
Video: SWEPT AWAY on Broadway with John Gallagher, Jr., Stark Sands & More
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-10-26 09:02:05
Video: Neil Diamond FaceTimes Into THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Opening Night for 'Sweet Caroline'
by Joshua Wright - 2024-09-24 19:19:03
Video: GALILEO's Nicole Kyoung-Mi Lambert Sings National Anthem at San Francisco Giants Game
by Joshua Wright - 2024-06-05 11:03:18
Video: The Avett Brothers Announce SWEPT AWAY Broadway Transfer From Queens Concert
by A.A. Cristi - 2024-05-17 23:02:33
Video: Watch an All New Trailer For GALILEO at Berkeley Repertory Theatre Starring Raul Esparza
by Stephi Wild - 2024-05-16 05:51:03
Video: Esparza and Kushnier Sing 'Believe the Day is Coming' from GALILEO: A ROCK MUSICAL
by Blair Ingenthron - 2024-04-27 09:23:22
Video: Nick Fradiani Performs 'If You Know What I Mean' in A BEAUTIFUL NOISE
by Stephi Wild - 2024-02-21 10:02:25
Video: A BEAUTIFUL NOISE Celebrates Neil Diamond's Birthday By Singing 'Sweet Caroline' With Him on FaceTime
by Stephi Wild - 2024-01-25 09:09:24
News
by A.A. Cristi - May 27, 2026
Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has shared her reaction to the news that the Broadway revival of CHESS would be ending its run early on Broadway. In a new video, JoJo gives fans a behind the scenes look at her preparation process for the show, rehearsing the songs, 'Nobody's Side,' and, 'I Know Him So Well'.
by Michael Major - May 27, 2026
Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque has revealed that she was supposed to start rehearsals for CHESS on Broadway the day that the show announced its early closing. JoJo was set to take over the role of 'Florence Vassey' from Lea Michele.
by Nicole Rosky - May 26, 2026
Chess will play its final performance on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre after over 250 performances starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher.
by Team BWW - May 22, 2026
The first standings have been revealed for the 2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards. The Theater Fans' Choice Awards honor and celebrate the best of New York Theater - as decided by the most important critics, the audience at large.
by Stephi Wild - May 18, 2026
The complete creative team and ticket sale dates have been set for Galileo, the new musical inspired by the life of Galileo Galilei. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!
by Jennifer Broski - May 16, 2026
Earlier this week, the Tony nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there to speak with all of them! Check out photos from behind the scenes with the nominees as they chatted with Richard Ridge and passed on our very own Tiny Tony.
by Nicole Rosky - May 15, 2026
Just yesterday, the 2026 Tony Award nominees gathered at the Sofitel New York to meet the press for the first time and BroadwayWorld was there for the special day. Check out photos of the 2026 nominees here!
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2026
The 2026 Tony nominees are already winners... literally. For some, this marks their first nomination, but others have already won Tony Awards in seasons past. We took a look at which nominees have won at least a Tony or two (or four!) - amongst them, they've gathered a total 64 awards.
by Michael Major - May 6, 2026
Audiences at Chess celebrated the production's five Tony Award nominations at Tuesday night's performance. Watch videos of the audience celebrating its Tony-nominated actors, Nicholas Christopher, Bryce Pinkham, and Hannah Cruz.
by Nicole Rosky - May 5, 2026
The nominations are in! Below, check out how each show fared individually in a full list of nominations by show. Follow us on BroadwayWorld throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions, exclusive reports, surprises, behind the scenes coverage and oh, so much more!
by Stephi Wild - Apr 15, 2026
Nick Fradiani, who stars as Neil Diamond in A BEAUTIFUL NOISE: THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL, will perform a bonus post-show concert of Diamond songs at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, free with a ticket to the performance.
by Michael Major - Apr 14, 2026
Enjoy 'one night in Bangkok' and watch the cast of Chess on Broadway performing 'Golden Bangkok.' Watch the video, featuring Casey Garvin, Sydney Jones, Sean MacLaughlin, Sarah Meahl, Samantha Pollino, Katie Webber, and more.
by Michael Major - Apr 10, 2026
Get a first listen to the CHESS (2025 Broadway Cast Recording), now available on digital and streaming formats. The album features Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, Nicholas Christopher, Hannah Cruz, Bryce Pinkham, Bradley Dean, Sean Allan Krill, and more.
by Michael Major - Apr 7, 2026
Get a first listen to Aaron Tveit singing 'Pity the Child' from the upcoming Chess cast recording. The new track follows Lea Michele's 'Nobody's Side,' which was released last month. Nicholas Christopher's 'Anthem' was made available last week.
by Michael Major - Apr 6, 2026
Aaron Tveit's 'Pity the Child' from the Chess cast recording will be released tonight at midnight. The new single comes ahead of the full cast recording's release this Firday, April 10. The album will be released on CD and vinyl later this year.
by Stephi Wild - Apr 3, 2026
The 2025 Broadway Cast Recording of CHESS will be released in digital and streaming formats on Friday, April 10. Learn more about how to pre-save or or pre-order the album here.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 27, 2026
During a recent episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, a segment was dedicated to Broadway's Chess, featuring a performance of 'The Arbiter' from the cast of the hit revival. Watch the performance here, led by Bryce Pinkham.
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 25, 2026
Multi-platinum singer, songwriter and actress Joanna 'JoJo' Levesque will return to Broadway as “Florence Vassy” alongside Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher in the record-breaking new production of CHESS beginning Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
by Joshua Wright - Mar 24, 2026
Watch a first look video of LA TRAVIATA at The Metropolitan Opera, running March 20–June 6, 2026. The production is directed by Michael Mayer and features a staging designed to reflect the emotional scope of the score.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 20, 2026
Emmy Award nominee Lea Michele will depart the twice-extended, record-breaking new production of CHESS on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Chess, Outstanding Lighting Design of a Pl (Drama Desk Awards) for Swept Away, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Swept Away, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Cher Show, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical, Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for American Idiot, Best Lighting Design (Olivier Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Scottsboro Boys, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for American Idiot, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for American Idiot, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for American Idiot, Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for Hair Jules, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Hair, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Hair, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Next to Normal, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Hair, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for The 39 Steps, Outstanding Lighting Design (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The 39 Steps, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Next to Normal , Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Passing Strange , Best Lighting Design of a Play (Tony Awards) for The 39 Steps, Best Lighting Design (BroadwayWorld Awards) for Spring Awakening, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Spring Awakening, Lighting Design (The Hewes Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for Some Men, Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Tony Awards) for Spring Awakening, Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Take Me Out, Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design (Obie Awards), Outstanding Lighting Design (The Lortels) for The Mineola Twins and Outstanding Lighting Design (Drama Desk Awards) for Henry V.
Kevin Adams has received numerous awards for his work in lighting design, including: - Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. - Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. - Best Lighting Design at the BroadwayWorld Awards for American Idiot. - Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards for American Idiot (multiple wins). - Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for American Idiot. - Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards for Hair. - Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for The 39 Steps. - Best Lighting Design of a Play at the Tony Awards for The 39 Steps. - Best Lighting Design at the BroadwayWorld Awards for Spring Awakening. - Lighting Design at The Hewes Awards for Spring Awakening (multiple wins). - Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortels for Spring Awakening. - Best Lighting Design of a Musical at the Tony Awards for Spring Awakening. - Outstanding Lighting Design at the Drama Desk Awards for Take Me Out. - Sustained Excellence of Lighting Design at the Obie Awards. - Outstanding Lighting Design at The Lortels for The Mineola Twins.
Videos
