One man, nine characters, all in seventy minutes; you heard that right! Prepare yourself for a jaw-dropping performance by James Lecesne at Bay Street Theater. The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, a play about a small Jersey Shore town and an optimistic, flamboyant 14-year-old boy, will leave audiences rethinking “how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.”
Lecesne is the author and performer of The Absolute Brightness, which will only show for seven days at Bay Street, from Monday, July 18th through Sunday, July 24th. There will be a special benefit night on Saturday, July 23rd when partial proceeds will go to Live Out Loud. The nonprofit organization guides and empowers LGBTQ teens to live authentic lives, a mission that strongly drives the plot of The Absolute Brightness. Live Out Loud actively seeks out high schools and the community to educate members, thereby bringing together students and role models. To learn more about Live Out Loud and their student programs, visit www.liveoutloud.info.
Lecesne authored a short film Trevor, which won an Academy Award and inspired the founding of The Trevor Project, the only nationwide 24-hour suicide prevention and crisis intervention lifeline for LGBT and Guestioning youth. He has also created several solo shows such as Word of Mouth and One Man Band. Lecesne’s New York theater credits include Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, The Boys in The Band and Cloud 9. His impressive television credits are comprised of Armistead Maurine’s Further Tales of The City (which received an Emmy nomination), Will & Grace, Sex & The City, and Vicious.
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Lecesne will play nine separate characters in this 70 minute performance. (Courtesy Photo) |
The New York Times highly praised The Absolute Brightness remarking: “Bravo! A tale that shimmers with needling suspense. James Lecesne’s multihued performance glows with such humanity (and robust humor) that you may find yourself choking back a tear or two. James Lecesne is a dazzling beacon of theatrical talent.”
The Absolute Brightness will be accompanied by music from Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening, Whisper House and American Psycho). Tony Speciale will direct, with Darren Bagert and Daryl Roth as producers.
Amidst the recent senseless tragedy the LGBTQ community suffered, Lecesne’s informative, educational, and eye-opening performance could not come at a more perfect time.
Bay Street Theater is located at 1 Bay Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-9500 or visit www.baystreet.org.
