The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre

 

There are a lot of 'absolutes' about this show besides brightness.  Other words I would use to describe it and its one-man cast would be brilliant, heartwarming, touching, funny, and emotional. While this is not based on a true story,  each one of us can probably relate it to a story that we have heard before.  The idea is to bring attention to a very serious subject, and Lecesne, the playwright and solo cast member succeeds here.

The story is set in a small town in southern NJ not far from Atlantic City. The time is present day.  James Lecesne takes the stage as Detective Chuck DeSantis, the first of 9 (it’s hard to be absolutely sure about this number, but there were a lot) individually unique characters. The set is simple with a projection screen, a chair and a table containing various props that we learn are all pieces of evidence in the mysterious disappearance of Leonard Pelkey.

In a quick spin movement, Detective Chuck magically transforms into Mrs. Ellen Hertle, who is the first to report the missing Pelkey, a 14 year old boy who is in her care.  Ellen runs a hair salon, and Leonard works there.   From the conversation we know that Leonard was a very colorful character, and most likely gay.  He was always providing the women with beauty and fashion advice, and you got the sense that they were endeared to him.  Ellen explains her concerns for his safety being so different in a small town and tries to get him to tone it down but Leonard had to be himself and once said ‘if he stopped being himself then the terrorists would win’.   Also present is Ellen’s daughter Phoebe, who soon joins the conversation.  An investigation to the disappearance begins, and one by one we meet the people whose lives have been touched by young Leonard.  There is the flamboyant dance school teacher, Buddy Howard, who describes Leonard as being ‘the only child who could express himself so entirely with jazz hands’.  We meet Otto Beckerman the watch repairman who considered Leonard a second chance after he lost his own son by trying to force him to be something he was not.

Leonard’s signature high top platform sneaker with rainbow layers is eventually spotted floating in a lake by mobster wife Gloria Salzano, and it’s not long before his body is recovered and we are left heartbroken.   But where and who is the killer?  The case is broken when Phoebe sees Leonard’s cherished money clip, a gift from his mother,  on the dresser of the boy she is dating.  This leads to conviction and a trial.  We are brought to our emotional heights when a salon customer addresses the killer and the court on behalf of Leonard saying ‘we didn’t get enough of what we once thought was too much’. You are left knowing that this town was a better place because of Leonard, and at that moment I wished I had gotten the chance know Leonard Pelkey. 

I have given you the story and it’s a timely one because while identifying as LGBT becomes more acceptable in society, we cannot forget that prejudice, and hate crimes still exist and the battle against ignorance will never be over.

There is a silver lining in this cloud as the play ends, and you might find yourself shedding a happy tear as I did.  In the end you will be pleasantly surprised, I promise.  But let me not spoil it for you.


The spirit of this imagined boy thrives in this production through the articulate performance of James Lecesne  who seamlessly transforms from one character to the next and in the skillful direction of Tony Speciale.     You will never see one man in one costume fill the stage in such a colossal way.  This is a limited 12 week engagement that you will not want to miss.   For tickets and more information visit http://absolutebrightnessplay.com/  and visit my show page for discounts here. -ThisbroadSway 7/23/15

James Lecesne is the co-founder of The Trevor Project, the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) young people ages 13-24.   I encourage you to visit their website and help this cause by donating now at http://www.thetrevorproject.org/