James Lecesne's THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY to Close Laguna Playhouse's 2016-17 Season

Laguna Playhouse has announced the sixth and final show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written and performed by James Lecesne with music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and directed by Tony Speciale.

"We are closing our season with one of the most moving and inspirational shows of the year," comments Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard. Adds Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham "James Lecesne, founder of "The Trevor Project" is simply stunning in this extraordinary piece of theatre! This is by far the not-to-be-missed play of our season."

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will begin previews on Wednesday, June 7; will open on Sunday, June 11 at 5:30pm and will run through Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

When a 14-year-old boy goes missing in a small New Jersey town his disappearance is illuminated by memories of his brilliant spirit. This one-man show, written and staring Academy-award winner James Lecesne, tells the story of a young boy who had touched the hearts of his community during his short by richly colorful life. Teens and adults alike will be inspired by this uplifting story about humanity and the dignity of life.

Due to the extreme generosity of Suzanne and James Mellor and THE MELLOR FUND, tickets for all theatergoers 21 and under will be admitted for free. ID REQUIRED.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE TEAM:

James Lecesne (Playwright, Performer) wrote the short film "Trevor," which won the 1995 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short and inspired the founding of The Trevor Project, the only nationwide 24-hour suicide prevention and crisis intervention Lifeline for LGBT and Questioning youth. He created "The Road Home Stories of Children of War," which was presented at the International Peace Initiative at The Hague. He adapted Armistead Maupin's "Further Tales of The City" for Showtime (Emmy nom), and was a writer on the series, "Will & Grace." He has written three novels for young adults, and created "The Letter Q," a collection of letters by Queer writers written to their younger selves. As an actor, he has appeared on TV ("Sex & The City"), on Broadway (The Best Man) and Off Broadway (The Boys in The Band, Cloud 9, One Man Band, Word of Mouth (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award). James won awards from the Off Broadway Theater Alliance, the United Solo Festival and the Outer Critics Circle for his performance in The Absolute Brightness Of Leonard Pelkey. The NY Times ranked him "among the most talented solo performers of his (or any) generation."

Tony Speciale (Director) is the founder of Plastic Theatre-conceiving, co-authoring and directing the world premiere of The Secret Court (formerly Unnatural Acts; Drama Desk nominee, GLAAD Media Award nominee). NYC: The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey (The Dixon Place); A Midsummer Night's Dream featuring Bebe Neuwirth, Christina Ricci and Taylor Mac (Classic Stage Company); Handbook for an American Revolutionary (The Gym at Judson); and Remembering Mr. Maugham (Clurman Theatre). Regional: Barry Manilow's Harmony (Allegiance Theatre/Ahmanson Theatre) and Romeo and Juliet (Actors Theatre of Louisville). Tony served four seasons as Associate Artistic Director at Classic Stage Company, studied musical theatre at The Boston Conservatory and holds an M.F.A. in Directing from Columbia University. He is also the proud recipient of a Princess Grace Theatre Honorarium and a Suzi Bass Award.

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY features the following design team; Scenic Design is by Jo Winiarski. Lighting Design is by Matt Richards. The Sound Design is by Christian Frederickson. Costume Design is by Paul Marlow. The Projection Design is by Aaron Rhyne. The Production Stage Manager is Jana Llynn.

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will begin previews on Wednesday, June 7; will open on Sunday, June 11 at 5:30pm and will run through Sunday, June 25, 2017 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Performances will be Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30pm; Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sundays at 1pm. Tickets range from $60 - $65 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change. Due to the extreme generosity of Suzanne and James Mellor and THE MELLOR FUND, tickets for all theatergoers 21 and under will be admitted for free. ID required.

The box office is open Mondays - Saturdays: 12p.m. to 5 p.m. (open until showtime on performance days); Sundays: 11a.m. - 4p.m. For more information on all shows and programming visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com. Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach.

Founded in 1920, the historic Laguna Playhouse is one of the oldest continuously-operating not-for-profit theatres on the West Coast and is proud to be an active participant in the celebrated Laguna Beach arts community. From classic plays and musical comedies to the current off-Broadway smash, cutting edge and traditional music exhibitions, dance festivals and stand-up comedy performances, Laguna Playhouse brings the magical experience of the performing arts direct to over 80,000 patrons each season. A member of the League of Resident Theatres, Laguna Playhouse is also home to the annual Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Music Festival and Laguna Beach Concert Band. Laguna Playhouse educational programming, includes year-round classes, productions by and for children and teens (Youth Theatre) and is one of the few companies in the region that offer a curriculum-based professional theatre-touring program, TheatreReach, which aligns with the California State Standards for literature, history and performing arts curriculum.

Serving more than 80,000 patrons each season, Laguna Playhouse has been recognized in 2016 and 2015 as one of Orange County Register's "Best of OC" in the category of Live Theatre. The Playhouse has featured many talented performers on stage, including Leslie Caron, Val Kilmer, Ed Asner, Hershey Felder, Donna McKechnie, Rita Rudner, violinist Joshua Bell, Lee Rocker, ballerina Misty Copeland, Harrison Ford, and Bette Davis.