Jo Winiarski News

The critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written by and starring James Lecesne, the writer of the Academy Award-winning film Trevor, will have a limited 23 performance engagement at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Wednesday, January 13 to Sunday, January 31, 2016 (press opening Thursday January 14).

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY announced today that the play written by and starring James Lecesne will play a strictly limited three week engagement in Los Angeles from Wednesday, January 13, 2016 through Sunday, January 31, 2016 as a guest production at the Kirk Douglas Theatre (9820 Washington Boulevard, Culver City).  The hit play ends its Off-Broadway engagement Sunday, October 18, 2015 at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street).

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the hit play written by and starring James Lecesne about an LGBT youth who chose to shine brighter than bullies, will lead the charge in the Broadway and Off-Broadway community to be #BrighterThanBullies in celebration of Stomp Out Bullying's Blue Shirt Day, the seventh annual World Day of Bully Prevention on Monday, October 5, 2015. 

Just last night, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey presented Tony Award winning playwright, performer and activist Eve Ensler with the Absolute Brightness Award. The award, previously awarded to LGBT civil rights hero Edie Windsor and Tony Award Winner and activist Alan Cumming, is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. 

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY announced today that the hit play written by and starring James Lecesne will extend its engagement and now play through Sunday, October 18 at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). A complete national tour schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey announced today that Tony Award winning playwright, performer and activist Eve Ensler will be the next recipient of the Absolute Brightness Award. The award, previously awarded to LGBT civil rights hero Edie Windsor and Tony Award Winner and activist Alan Cumming, is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. Ms. Ensler will be given the Absolute Brightness Award after the evening performance on Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street).

Michael Urie and David Hyde Pierce stopped by THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY at the Westside Theatre last night, September 8, and posed with the show's creator and star James Lecesne after the show. Scroll down for a photo of the trio!

 Celebrate "Absolute" August & September and "Bring Your Brightness" to the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written and performed by James Lecesne. 

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY announced today that Tony winner and human rights activist Alan Cumming will be the recipient of the Absolute Brightness Award. The award, previously awarded to LGBT civil right hero Edie Windsor, is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. Mr. Cumming will be given the Absolute Brightness Award after the evening performance on Monday, August 24, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street).

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opened on July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed by James Lecesne, will have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow. 

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opened last night, July 27, 2015, at theWestside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed by James Lecesne, will have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos below!

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opened last night, July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed by James Lecesne, will have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne, original animation & photography by Matthew Sandager, and costumes by Paul Marlow. BroadwayWorld was there for opening night and you can check out photos below!

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12-week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey officially opens tonight, July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, the limited 12- week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY officially opens tonight, July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). 

Production photos for the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written and performed by James Lecesne, have just been released - check them out below! The new play is now in previews and officially opens on Monday, July 27, 2015 at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). 

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY recently announced that civil rights hero Edie Windsor is first recipient of theAbsolute Brightness Award. The award is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. 

The new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will honor civil rights hero Edie Windsor as the first recipient of the Absolute Brightness Award after the evening performance tonight, July 16, at the Westside Theatre. The award is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self. 

Performances begin tonight, July 11, 2015, for the limited 12-week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). Below, BroadwayWorld has a look behind the scenes with writer and star James Lecesne, as well as composer Duncan Sheik, director Tony Speciale, and friend and colleague Ian McKellen!

BroadwayWorld has learned that a limited number of $25 student rush tickets will be available for each performance when the Westside Theatre box office opens for that day's performance(s), for students 25 and under, with a valid student ID.  Patrons are limited to one ticket per ID.

Dallas Theater Center announced today complete details for The School for Wives and Medea, the first productions in DTC's new multi-year Classical Theater Initiative, which will feature masterpieces of theatrical literature from around the world.