The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
by Celeste Lecesne
Directed by Alicen Moser
The Midnight Company
May 6, 2023
Joe Hanrahan
Photo by Joey Rumpell
The Midnight Company
The Midnight Company is currently back onstage with a poignant, emotional production that features Joe Hanrahan doing what he’s perhaps best known for–a one-man show. The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey isn’t a one character show, however. Hanrahan gets to show his versatility here, telling a short but powerful story and playing a variety of roles, creating a memorable, remarkably affecting portrait of a small town in turmoil, and one character we never actually “meet” who makes the most profound impact of all.
Hanrahan narrates the story as Chuck DeSoto, a police detective in a small New Jersey town who is remembering the case that has affected him the most. The flashback format has DeSoto offering commentary on the proceedings as the story unfolds, and Hanrahan deftly morphs into the various players, starting when hair salon owner Ellen Hertle and her teenage daughter Phoebe walk into the police station to report a missing person. Leonard Pelkey is a 14-year-old boy who Ellen has been raising after his mothers’ death. Leonard has only been in town for about two years, but he’s already made an impression, with his “weird” theatrical personality and offbeat sense of personal style. It’s made fairly clear that Leonard is gay, as well, and he’s experienced a great deal of bullying at school. As the story unfolds, the efforts to find what’s happened to Leonard unfold like a mystery story, and although there are sad and even tragic elements, there are also moments of hope, as we meet a series of characters who have been affected by Leonard in various ways, including the concerned Ellen; conflicted Phoebe; Buddy Howard, Leonard’s British-born drama instructor; clock repairman Otto Beckerman; and others. As the truth is discovered, we get to learn more about the various characters and their motivations–especially Phoebe, who is perhaps the most well-drawn character here besides Chuck. Also, even though Leonard never actually “appears” onstage, his character seems just as real as the others, and his influence pervades every moment.
It’s a short play, but especially well-constructed, and Hanrahan does an excellent job playing the various distinctive characters, especially Chuck, Phoebe, Ellen, and Otto. Hanrahan’s handles the humor and the drama well, and the pacing is excellent. Tony Anselmo’s lighting also adds much to the overall mood of the show.
The playwright, Celeste Lecesne, is also a co-founder of The Trevor Project, which provides a crisis hotline and other resources for LGBTQ+ youth. The theme of this show highlights the difficulties that young gay teens can endure, as well as the positive impact that one boy’s life can make on those around him, even in such a short time. The play also features an over-arching theme of individual expression and the importance of community support and respect. It’s a memorable effort from Joe Hanrahan and The Midnight Company.
Joe Hanrahan
Photo by Joey Rumpell
The Midnight Company
The Midnight Company is presenting The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey at the Kranzberg Arts Center until May 20, 2023