Leanne Borghesi

A vividly fierce, award-winning singer, actress, film, and performance artist, Leanne Borghesi has captivated audiences in major concert halls, theaters, and nightclub venues with her brassy vocals, outrageous comedic flair, and larger-than-life presence. Hailed as “A Sumptuous Feast of Outrageousness,” Leanne shines in lead musical theater roles, steals scenes in award-winning films, and creates original, critically acclaimed cabaret and nightclub acts — including The Showbroads, Mood Swings, and  smash hit Borghesi’s Back!

Her bold, irreverent artistry has garnered sold-out performances and the prestigious 2022 New York Manhattan Association of Cabarets (MAC) Award for Best Musical Comedy Performer.

A featured guest soloist with The Mabel Mercer Foundation, Leanne has had the honor of performing at world-renowned venues, including the Rose Theater at Jazz at Lincoln Center and Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Her New York performances span some of the city’s most iconic cabaret rooms and performance spaces, including Birdland Jazz Club, 54 Below, Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex, The Laurie Beechman Theater, The Triad Theater, and Feinstein’s at the Nikko.

THE SHOWBROADS…A Night Club Duel, made its sold-out debut at Birdland Jazz Club, starring alongside Broadway and cabaret powerhouse Marta Sanders (Best Little Whorehouse, 2022 MAC Lifetime Achievement Award). Directed by Nicolas Minas, with a book by Nathan Cann and musical direction/arrangements by composer Dana P. Rowe (The Witches of Eastwick, The Fix), these two “forces of nature” thrilled audiences with “a one-two knockout punch!” (BroadwayWorld). Stephen Mosher of BroadwayWorld raved, “There’s a new duo in town and they’re on their way to paradise. Everyone needs to get a ticket, get on board, buckle in, and get ready for the ride of their lives!”

As a Guest Artist at The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Leanne premiered her solo show BAZAZZ, sharing the stage with legendary artists including André De Shields, Lillias White, Marilyn Maye, and more. She also performed at the International Cabaret Conference at Yale University, working alongside Amanda McBroom, Tovah Feldshuh, Sally Mayes, Alex Rybeck, Julie Wilson, and Sharon McNight.

Her film credits include the 2023 multi-award-winning horror-comedy feature film Evil Sublet, currently streaming on Amazon Prime and other platforms, co-starring Sally Struthers and Jennifer Leigh Houston. Additional film credits include Pig Hunt and The Miracle Twerker (NYC Film Festival Award Winner).

Leanne’s theater credits span both New York and regional stages, including:

• Dora Bailey in Singin’ in the Rain (Gateway Playhouse)
• Smeraldina in The Servant of Two Masters (Sonnet Rep)
• Jan in Mr. Irresistible (LaMaMa Etc.)
• The world premiere of Valerie Solanas’ Up Your A$$ (PS 122)
• Rosie in Mamma Mia! (CenterREP)
• Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Cape Fear Regional Theatre)
• Rona Lisa Peretti in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (CenterREP)
• Nancy in Oliver! (PCPA Theaterfest)
• Mrs. Medlock in The Secret Garden (TheatreWorks)
• Mrs. Bassett in Eccentricities of a Nightingale (Aurora Theatre)
• The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone

A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association, Leanne Borghesi continues to dazzle audiences coast to coast with her powerhouse vocals, fearless comedic flair, and signature blend of glamour and grit.