Photo Flash: Civil Rights Hero Edie Windsor Receives First Ever ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS AWARD

The producers of the critically-acclaimed new play THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY recently announced that civil rights hero Edie Windsor is first recipient of theAbsolute Brightness Award. The award is given to a unique individual who is a shining beacon in their community, and an inspiration to live as your truest self.

Edie Windsor has spent most of her adult life breaking boundaries. Windsor's 40-year engagement, and finally, marriage to Dr. Thea Spyer was honored in the critically acclaimed documentary Edie & Thea: A Long Engagement and her role as the lead plaintiff in the case of United States v. Windsor is arguably the most influential legal precedent in the struggle for LGBT marriage equality. In its landmark 2013 ruling, the Supreme Court overturned Section 3 of the Defense Against Marriage Act and was a legal victory for the same-sex marriage movement in the United States paving the way for the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, the much talked-about new play written and performed byJames Lecesne, has 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 "remarkable and moving" (New York Times) 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 is now in performances will officially open on Monday, July 27, 2015, at the Westside Theatre.

Tickets for THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY are $85, and available at Telecharge.com (212-239-6200), or at www.AbsoluteBrightness.com. THE ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY plays: Mondaythrough Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Please note there will be no performances Monday, July 13, Friday July 17 and 24, and an added performance Thursday, July 16.

Check out photos from the event below!