News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey 2015

Run Time:
One hour and 30 minutes, with no intermission
Ages: 9+
Opened: July 27, 2015
Closing: October 18, 2015

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey - 2015 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Westside Theatre (Downstairs)
407 West 43rd St. New York, NY

From the writer of the Academy Award-winning film Trevor comes The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, the "remarkable and moving" (The New York Times) new play written and performed by James Lecesne, directed by Tony Speciale (with original music by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening).

One of the greatest storytellers of his generation, James Lecesne portrays every character in a small Jersey shore town as they unravel the story of Leonard Pelkey, a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant 14 year old boy. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is missing, Leonard becomes the unexpected inspiration for a town as they question how they live, who they love and what they leave behind.

"Absolute Brightness leaves you beaming with joy." (The New York Times)


The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey - 2015 - Off-Broadway Cast

Get The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Headed to Los Angeles in 2016
by Tyler Peterson - October 16, 2015


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).

Off-Broadway's ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS Puts Out #BrighterThanBullies Challenge for World Day of Bullying Prevention
by Tyler Peterson - October 2, 2015


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. 

Photo Coverage: Eve Ensler Receives ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS Award
by Jennifer Broski - September 24, 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 ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Extends Off-Broadway
by Tyler Peterson - September 21, 2015


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 ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY to Honor Eve Ensler Next Week
by Tyler Peterson - September 16, 2015


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).

Photo Flash: Michael Urie and David Hyde Pierce Visit 'ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS' Off-Broadway
by BWW News Desk - September 9, 2015


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!

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Offering Buy-One-Get-One Deal This Fall
by Tyler Peterson - August 31, 2015


 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. 

Alan Cumming to Receive Award from Off-Broadway's THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY
by Tyler Peterson - August 20, 2015


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).

TV: Go Inside Opening Night of THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY with James Lecesne & More!
by TV - Opening Night Special - July 29, 2015


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. 

Photo Coverage: THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Takes Opening Night Bows
by Walter McBride - July 28, 2015


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!

Review Roundup: THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Opens Off-Broadway
by Review Roundups - July 27, 2015


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...

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY Opens Off-Broadway Tonight
by BWW News Desk - July 27, 2015


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). 

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey History

Other Productions of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

2015   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Premiere Production
Off-Broadway

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey - 2015 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
2016 Best Solo Performance James Lecesne
2016 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Solo Performance James Lecesne
2016 Outer Critics Circle Awards Outstanding Solo Performance James Lecesne

Videos