Spend a Busy Two-Show Day with James Lecesne at The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Spend a Busy Two-Show Day with James Lecesne at The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Photos Spend a Busy Two-Show Day with James Lecesne at The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Sep 23, 2015

James Lecesne invites readers to come along on a two-show day at his acclaimed solo play The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. Enjoy!

Spend a Busy Two-Show Day with James Lecesne at The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Where the day begins - usually at 8AM (no alarm).
I love the tree outside my window - we’ve been lovers for 25 years. — Where the day begins - usually at 8AM (no alarm). I love the tree outside my window - we’ve been lovers for 25 years. James Lecesne

8:05 AM - Nothing happens without that first cup of coffee. The cup was a gift from my dear friends Melanie and Molly, who live on Cape Cod - I’ve been missing them this summer, but the cup allows me a moment every morning to think of them. James Lecesne

Every morning I sit at my desk, check my email and then begin to work on whatever writing project I’ve got going. Right now I’m working on a Young Adult novel about a kid who is facing the reality of that his grandmother has Alzheimer's. James Lecesne

9:30 AM - Dropping off my Laundry James Lecesne

Angie - My Angel of the Laundromat. James Lecesne

9:35 AM - Your Neighborhood Office - Johnny Wong works Saturdays at YNO, which is the heart and the hands of the West Village. Our local mailspot that acts as concierge, post office, and personal assistant. I’d be lost without them. Just there to mail something. And advertise my show! James Lecesne

9:45 Breakfast - Pretty much the same every day - granola, yogurt, fruit. What’s not to like? James Lecesne

10:05 Dean stopped by to visit with iced coffee. We talked about Buddhism and chanted a bit. Nam Myo Ho Renge Kyo http://www.sgi-usa.org/ James Lecesne

12:40 PM - On My Bike - and up the Westside Highway bike path toward the theater. James Lecesne

12:45 PM - My trusty Schwinn parked outside of Adella, the fabulous wine bar across from the theater. James Lecesne

Based on his best-selling novel "Absolute Brightness," the production plays the Westside Theatre.

The show is written and performed by Lecesne and directed by Drama Desk nominee Tony Speciale. It features music by Tony winner Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). The production also has have scenic design by Jo Winiarski, lighting design by Matt Richards, sound design by Christian Frederickson, projection design by Aaron Rhyne and costumes by Paul Marlow with original animation and photography by Matthew Sandager.

In The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, Lecesne portrays the various characters of a small Jersey shore town as they struggle to comprehend the mysterious disappearance of a teenager. Through these differing viewpoints, the secrets of the mystery, as well as those of the community, are slowly unveiled.

Lecesne is a writer and performer whose short film "Trevor" won an Academy Award. Also the recipient of a Drama Desk Award and nominated for an Emmy, he has created several acclaimed solo shows and collaborated with artists such as Mike Nichols, Elaine May and Linda Lavin.

Absolute Brightness is produced by Darren Bagert, Daryl Roth, Jane Dubin, Curtis Forsythe, Michael Mayer, Diane Procter, Seaview Productions and Minerva Productions/Joshua Goodman.

Tickets are $85 and available at Telecharge or by calling (212) 239-6200, or at AbsoluteBrightnessPlay.com. The Westside Theatre is located at 407 West 43rd St.