The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

De: Celeste Lecesne

Narrado por: Celeste Lecesne

Writer of the Academy award-winning short Trevor, founder of The Trevor Project (a 24-hour nationwide crisis hotline for LGBTQIA+ youth), and stage and screen actor, Celeste Lecesne performs their hit off-Broadway play, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. This live performance of a powerful police procedural comes to life through the artistry of Celeste Lecesne and is accompanied by the original music of Duncan Sheik. Celeste 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 has gone 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.

Brash detective Chuck DeSantis seeks out answers as to why Leonard is missing. Along the way, questions about the teen’s sexuality force members of the community to confront their own biases and beliefs. This poetic piece of audio leads listeners down an important path towards understanding and acceptance. The entire town changes forever because of Leonard Pelkey—a character originally from Celeste Lecesne’s young adult book Absolute Brightness that inspired the play. This whodunit brims with humor and heart and delivers a deeply important message about love, prejudice, and being yourself.

The New York Times raved that The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey "...leave[s] you beaming with joy...a superlative solo show...Lecesne is a writer of wit and keen observational skills, who here unfolds a dark tale that shimmers with the needling suspense you associate with the best police procedurals."

Written and performed by Celeste Lecesne

Sound design by Christian Frederickson

Original music by Duncan Sheik

Note: The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey contains adult language.

©2019 Celeste Lecesne (P)2019 AO Media LLC

a harsh reality performed brilliantly

a riveting story heard too often around the world and yet falls on dead ears. thank you to the author/performer in bringing this to the light of day. I hope others hear it, remember it, and pass it on.

Wow!

Truly outstanding! Thank you James Lecesne! and thank you Audible. Audiobooks listeners DO NOT PASS THIS ONE by!

Artful Performance

Best narration I've experienced! Great message about the light people share in life, and the story itself was a great blend, and I can't say enough about the narrators skills in capturing/portraying each character. Really enjoyed this one!

EXCEPTIONAL. Performance *AND* Story. FANTASTIC.

James Lecesne's performance was so captivating that five minutes in...I was trying to find more from him. Unfortunately, at least in Audible...that doesn't look like an option. Too bad.

This has to be one of my favorite audiobooks that came to my attention via Audible's free monthly offerings. The sample was SO good that I ended up *buying* it. One of my best purchases ever. Such a rich performance that immersed me in the world of Leonard Pelkey. I was so invested that I rallied and celebrated with all those who were blessed to experience Leonard's spirit, strength, and beauty firsthand even though his death felt like we all had been robbed of his once-in-a-lifetime persona.

The only gripes I have are 1) The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey had an ending. Even spoiled by Leonard's murder, I really did not want to leave the world that Leonard had so flamboyantly colored. 2) The audiobook offerings with James Lecesne are a pittance. Either Lecesne should produce more of his pieces or other authors should utilize his storytelling gifts!

Wow

James is an amazing narrator and writer. The absolute best short story on Audible yet for me.