TV: Behind the Scenes of THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY with James Lecesne & More; Begins Previews Tonight!

Performances begin tonight, July 11, 2015, for the limited 12-week engagement of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, at the Westside Theatre (407 West 43 Street). Below, BroadwayWorld has a look behind the scenes with writer and star James Lecesne, as well as composer Duncan Sheik, director Tony Speciale, and friend and colleague Ian McKellen!

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and per- formed 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.

This new play is directed by Tony Speciale, with original music by Tony Award-winning composer Duncan Sheik. Following a sold-out run at Dixon Place, THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY will officially open on Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre.

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 who goes missing. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he disappears, Leonard becomes the unexpected inspiration for a town as they question how they live, who they love and what they leave behind.