BWW Reviews: James Lecesne's THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Shines Beautifully at Dixon Place

By: Feb. 25, 2015
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

With music by Broadway's Duncan Sheik, James Lecesne acts as scribe and a man of many hats in his latest, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY.

The Trevor Project co-founder's poignant piece is about a young boy who goes missing, and the effect he had on those around him. Lecesne plays a string of eccentic characters- it's as if the D'Ysquiths moved to Jersey- and really reminds one of what storytelling is all about in this powerful piece, based on his best-selling book, now playing at Dixon Place in the Bowery.

Lecesne weaves a mysterious tale out of the disappearance of fourteen-year-old Leonard Pelkey, who is bullied for being gay, reported by his aunt and his defensive cousin. From hair salon owner to detective to old mob wife to ruff nut schoolyard bully, Lecesne's performance and powerful story is not to be missed, and shines a light on the consequence of fear and the effect one being can have on an entire community. It's truly a beautiful piece of theatre.

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will run through March 28th at Dixon Place (161 Chrystie Street). Tickets are $18 and can be purchased by visiting www.dixonplace.org or by calling (212) 219-0736.



Videos