Christian Frederickson News

Laguna Playhouse has announced the sixth and final show in the Laguna Playhouse 2016-2017 season, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, written and performed by James Lecesne with music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and directed by Tony Speciale.

Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2016-2017 season with the May 17-June 4 run of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, written and performed by James Lecesne, and directed by Tony Speciale with original music by Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). 

Sometimes the impact a person has on the world is not completely clear until they are gone. And when that person has the innate ability to open eyes, shift perspectives, and change the course of someone's life, it makes their absence (and their influence) that much more profound. This is the impact of 14-year-old Leonard Pelkey as told in Hartford Stage's latest production, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY.

Irish Repertory Theatre announced today an extension for Eugene O'Neill's THE EMPEROR JONES, which will now run through May 21. Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly (Shining City), and starring Obi Abili (Ivo van Hove's Antigone at BAM), THE EMPEROR JONES began performances on March 1, 2017 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, and officially opened on March 12, 2017.

The original Off-Broadway cast recording of "When You Are A Person" has been released and is now available worldwide. The song is from the world premiere of Ken Urban's NIBBLER, presented by The Amoralists in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

After a critically-acclaimed sell-out run in New York City, playwright,  performer and activist James Lecesne will bring his inspirational solo show, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, to Hartford Stage from Thursday, March 30, through Sunday, April 23.  The play deftly navigates the effects of bullying and the search for identity while telling an uplifting story about love, overcoming prejudices, and being true to one's self.

Abingdon Theatre Company, under the artistic direction of Tony Speciale, presents the world premiere of CHESS MATCH NO. 5, conceived and directed by Anne Bogart, with text arranged by Jocelyn Clarke from the words of John Cage.

The Amoralists, in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, presents the world premiere of Ken Urban's NIBBLER, directed by Benjamin Kamine. NIBBLER runs now through March 18, 2017 in a limited engagement at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, located at 224 Waverly Place between Perry & West 11th Streets in New York City. The production opened on February 27, and BroadwayWorld has photos from the festivities below!

Irish Repertory Theatre presents Eugene O'Neill's THE EMPEROR JONES, directed by Ciaran O'Reilly (Shining City), and starring Obi Abili (Ivo Van Hove's Antigone at BAM). THE EMPEROR JONES begins performances tonight, March 1, 2017 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, opens on March 12, and runs through April 23, 2017.

The Amoralists, in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, presents the world premiere of Ken Urban's NIBBLER, directed by Benjamin Kamine. NIBBLER runs now through March 18, 2017 in a limited engagement at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, located at 224 Waverly Place between Perry & West 11th Streets in New York City. The production opens tonight, February 27, and BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Abingdon Theatre Company will offer a talkback tonight, February 23, following the 7:30pm performance of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, a new play about how one family deals with the effects of Alzheimer's.

The Amoralists, in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, present the world premiere of Ken Urban's NIBBLER, directed by Benjamin Kamine. NIBBLER runs tonight, February 23, through March 18, 2017 in a limited engagement.

Abingdon Theatre Company welcomes Alexa Shae Niziak (Matilda, A Christmas Story) to the cast of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION tonight, February 21.

Abingdon Theatre Company will offer a talkback on Thursday, February 23 following the 7:30pm performance of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, a new play about how one family deals with the effects of Alzheimer's.

The Amoralists, in association with Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, present the world premiere of Ken Urban's NIBBLER, directed by Benjamin Kamine. NIBBLER runs from February 23 - March 18, 2017 in a limited engagement. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in character below!

Irish Repertory Theatre has announced full casting for Eugene O'Neill's THE EMPEROR JONES. Directed by Ciaran O'Reilly (Shining City), and starring Obi Abili (Ivo van Hove's Antigone at BAM), THE EMPEROR JONES begins performances on March 1, 2017 at Irish Rep Theatre (132 West 22nd Street) on the Francis J. Greenburger Mainstage, opens on March 12, and runs through April 23, 2017. 

Abingdon Theatre Company welcomes Alexa Shae Niziak (Matilda, A Christmas Story) to the cast of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION on Tuesday, February 21.

Abingdon Theatre Company presents a world-premiere play from author James Lecesne (Trevor) and director Tony Speciale - the playwright and director of The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey - in the June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Off-Broadway performances run through February 26. Click below to watch highlights from the show!

On Thursday, Abingdon Theatre Company celebrated the opening night of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, a new play written by James Lecesne about how one family deals with the effects of Alzheimer's. Directed by Tony Speciale, the company includes Concetta Tomei, James Davis, Dan Domingues, Angela Reed, Isabella Russo and Dale Soules, with performances set to run through February 26. Scroll down for photos from the festivities!

Abingdon Theatre Company presents the world premiere of THE MOTHER OF INVENTION, a new play by Academy Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner James Lecesne (The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, Word of Mouth, Trevor). The official press opening is tonight, February 9, in Abingdon's June Havoc Theatre (312 West 36th Street). Artistic Director Tony Speciale, who also directed The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey is set to direct.