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John Kani

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John Kani BIO

Bonisile John Kani is a South African actor, author, director and playwright. He is known for portraying T'Chaka in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther, Rafiki in the 2019 remake of The Lion King and Colonel Ulenga in the Netflix film Murder Mystery.

John Kani STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
1974
John

[Broadway]
1974
Buntu

Styles

Writing

Playwright
Author

John Kani Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 1984 - Actor of the Year in a New Play

John KaniMaster Harold And The Boys

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actor - Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead

Drama Desk Awards - 1975 - Outstanding Actor - Play

John Kani, The Island


winner
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi is Dead


winner
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

John Kani, The Island

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

John Kani, Sizwe Banzi is Dead

Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Play

John Kani, The Island

John Kani News


Matthew Broderick & More to be Featured in Shakespeare Theatre Company 24/25 Season


Shakespeare Theatre Company has revealed the lineup of its upcoming 24/25 Season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

Lantern Theater Company to Continue 30th Anniversary Season With FAITH HEALER By Brian Friel


Lantern Theater Company continues its 30th anniversary season with Brian Friel's masterpiece play, Faith Healer. Directed by Peter DeLaurier and featuring Anthony Lawton, Ian Merrill Peakes, and Geneviève Perrier, Faith Healer explores memory, belief, and the stories we tell ourselves.

Feature: Ilana Lucas Picks The Top Toronto Theatre of 2023


It’s been a strong year for Toronto theatre. I saw 145 shows this year in Toronto and beyond, and am happy to report that theatre is alive and well. I’ve laughed, sobbed, coughed (discreetly into a mask), and cheered my way through our stages in 2023. Here are some local highlights.

Review: THE ISLAND at Ensemble


What did our critic think of THE ISLAND at Ensemble? Native South Euclid resident and Brush High School grad, Dr. Alan Wieder, is on a quest “to stem the tide of forgetfulness.”  The oral historian, who has been on the faculties of both South Africa’s University of Western Cape and Stellenbosch University, is concerned that “few young South Africans know of the contributions or the sensibilities regarding the social justice and the revolution against class disparity and racism in the world.” 

ADIFF 2023 Film Festival to Begin Next Month


The African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) will celebrate its 31st anniversary with 85 films from 33 countries. The festival will showcase a diverse array of comedies, dramas, and documentaries from major film festivals, as well as works by independent filmmakers.

American Premiere of LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K is Coming to St. Ann's Warehouse


Don't miss the American premiere of 'Life & Times of Michael K,' a stunning puppet theater production that received rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Find out the dates and venue for this highly acclaimed show at St. Ann's Warehouse.

Photos: First Look at SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at MAST Mayflower Studios


Production images have been released for the upcoming Mayflower MADE revival of Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona’s Sizwe Banzi is Dead, which runs at MAST Mayflower Studios until 14 October 2023 as part of Black History Month 2023.   Check out the photos here!

Ensemble Continues Its 44th Season With Fugard, Kani, & Ntshona's Powerful THE ISLAND


Ensemble Theatre continues its 44th season with a powerful production of Fugard, Kani, & Ntshona's THE ISLAND. Don't miss this compelling theatrical experience.

LUNGS, THE ISLAND, and More Set For Ensemble Theatre's 2023-24 Season


Ensemble Theatre celebrates its second season in their new location with the 44th Season, 2023-2024: A Season Of Justice' When Standing By Isn't Enough!  Learn more about the full season lineup here!

Cast Revealed For SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD at MAST Mayflower Studios


MAST Mayflower Studios has today announced casting for their upcoming revival of Athol Fugard, John Kani & Winston Ntshona's Sizwe Banzi is Dead, which runs at the Southampton theatre from 6–14 October 2023.

Soulpepper Presents SIZWE BANZI IS DEAD, May 25- June 18


Soulpepper Theatre presents the Tony-nominated work by one of South Africa's greatest playwrights, Athol Fugard, in their production of his revolutionary apartheid-era collaboration with John Kani and Winston Ntshona, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead. 

World Premiere Of Damon Galgut's THE PROMISE Comes to the Stage


In what promises to be one of the most thrilling theatre highlights of the year, the stage production of Damon Galgut's Booker Prize-winning novel, THE PROMISE, will have its world premiere in Cape Town this September.

Photos: Jennifer Aniston, Adam Sandler & More Attend MURDER MYSTERY 2 Premiere


Check out photos from the premiere of Murder Mystery 2, including shots of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, actors Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, Dr, John Kani, Kuhoo Verma, Enrique Arce, Zurin Villanueva, Jillian Bell, Annie Mumolo, and more.

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by John Kani Comes to Sandton's Theatre on the Square


Sello Maake KaNcube and Daphne Kuhn proudly present the iconic play NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH by John Kani at Sandton’s Theatre on the Square from the 29th March – 16th April.

VIDEO: Adam Sandler & Jennifer Aniston Return For MURDER MYSTERY 2 Trailer


The film stars Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, John Kani, Kuhoo Verma, Enrique Arce, Zurin Villanueva, Tony Goldwyn, Annie Mumolo with Dany Boon and Adeel Akhtar. The film is directed by Jeremy Garelick. Watch the new video trailer now!

This Week's New Classifieds on BWW - 9/29/2022


This Week's New Classified Listings on BroadwayWorld for 9/29/2022 include new jobs for those looking to work in the theatre industry.

Now Hiring: Production Manager, Head Audio, and More - BroadwayWorld Classifieds


This Week's New Classified Listings on BroadwayWorld for 9/22/2022 include new jobs for those looking to work in the theatre industry.

Village Theatre Announces New Leadership With New Artistic Director and First-Ever Managing Director


Village Theatre announces Adam Immerwahr (Washington DC’s Theater J) as its next Artistic Director and Laura Lee (Seattle’s ArtsWest) as its first-ever Managing Director.

World Premiere of PEARL'S ROLLIN' WITH THE BLUES: A NIGHT WITH FELICIA P. FIELDS to be Presented at Writers Theatre


Writers Theatre will conclude its 2021/22 Season with Pearl’s Rollin’ with the Blues: A Night with Felicia P. Fields.  The production runs June 23, 2022 – July 24, 2022 in the in the Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Theatre at 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe. The Press Opening is Friday, July 1, 2022 at 7:30pm.

Listen: RSC's INTERVAL DRINKS Podcast Returns Featuring David Tennant, Femi Temowo, and Tinuke Craig


Today (Thursday 12 May 2022) the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) releases a new episode of its in-house podcast, Interval Drinks, featuring RSC Associate Artist and star of stage and screen David Tennant in conversation with Mark Quartley, who currently plays Henry VI in the RSC productions of Henry VI: Rebellion and Wars of the Roses.

John Kani FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has John Kani been in?

John Kani has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.

How many West End shows has John Kani been in?

John Kani has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Kani been nominated for?

John Kani has been nominated for several prestigious awards throughout his career. These include Actor of the Year in a New Play at the Olivier Awards for "Master Harold And The Boys," Outstanding Actor - Play at the Drama Desk Awards for "Sizwe Banzi Is Dead" and "The Island," and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for "Sizwe Banzi is Dead" and "The Island." Additionally, he was part of productions that were nominated for Best Play at the Tony Awards for "Sizwe Banzi is Dead" and "The Island."

What awards has John Kani won?

John Kani has won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for "Sizwe Banzi is Dead" and "The Island."

How many shows has John Kani written?

John Kani has written 2 shows including Sizwe Banzi Is Dead (Playwright), The Island (Playwright).

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