Discover the luminous life of Leonard Pelkey, whose unyielding spirit shines even brighter in his absence, illuminating the lives of a small town on the Jersey shore.
.
Produced by BL Productions
Sponsored by CTDI
Mike Thornton re-creates James (Celeste) Lecesne’s brilliant play; portraying nine different characters in a small Jersey Shore town whose lives have been profoundly changed by Leonard – a tenaciously optimistic and flamboyant fourteen-year-old boy who goes missing. A luminous force of nature whose magic is only truly felt once he is gone, Leonard becomes an unexpected inspiration as the town’s citizens question how they live, who they love, and what they leave behind.
The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey is a joyful celebration of individuality, kindness, and the power of being unapologetically yourself. Through the unforgettable spirit of Leonard, the play reminds us that love and acceptance can light up even the darkest corners, inspiring us all to shine brighter in our own lives.
The Uptown Theatre last saw Mike on stage as lead performer with the nationally-known political satire troupe: The Capitol Steps. Mike’s other credits include NBC’s Homicide, Life on the Street, Signature Theatre’s “Passion”, The American premiere of “Blood Brothers”, and the country’s longest-running play “Shear Madness” at the Kennedy Center.
Bob Lohrman, the long-time director of the Kennedy Center’s “Shear Madness” teamed up Mike during the pandemic to direct this powerful and entertaining production.
June 15 @ 3 PM