The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey
Photos by Kristi Jan Hoover

City Theatre is proud to partner with Dreams of Hope on The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey. Gray Buchanan and Red Goblet, students from Dreams of Hope, worked closely with the production’s creative team and City Theatre staff, curating the prop items and photographs of Leonard’s belongings used in the production.  We invite patrons to learn more about the vital work Dreams of Hope supports. Learn more about Dreams of Hope at their website. 

New Pittsburgh Courier | By Denise Johnson
January 31, 2018

“I believe that we leave the theater after witnessing this story with a greater appreciation and understanding of what life is like for young people and, for that matter, anyone who is considered different.” – Keith Randolph Smith

Pittsburgh City Paper | By Ted Hoover
January 31, 2018

“Lecesne has written this one-man, one-act show with heart firmly attached to sleeve, and there’s much to enjoy.”

Pittsburgh in the Round | By Brian Pope
Januar 30, 2018

“For all those willing to bask in its glow, there is a beacon shining at City Theatre. And, in these dark times, there’s no denying the need for The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey to see the necessity and the power of acceptance.”

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | By Sharon Eberson
January 17, 2018

“There’s only so much you can ‘fake’ — if you try to doodle like a 3-year-old, it’s really hard to do. With Leonard, it’s so genuine to have these two queer youths create these props. I am so happy that [Director Laura Savia] had this idea. It just made this so much better.” -Britton Mauk

TribLIVE.com |By Mary Pickels
January 17, 2018

Online reviews of earlier performances point to Pelkey’s tendency toward flamboyance as potentially contributing to his disappearance. Characters also depict a growing cultural trend of compassion and acceptance for those identifying as gay, reviews note.

LAURA SAVIA
Director

BRITTON MAUK
Scenic Design

MADISON HACK
Costume Design

ISABELLA BYRD
Lighting Design

ELIZABETH ATKINSON
Sound Design

FRI, JAN 26| 8:00 PM
Opening Night

SUN, JAN 28 | 2:00 PM
Post-Show Talkback

FRI, FEB 2 | 8:00 PM
Greenroom

SUN, FEB 4 | 2:00 PM
Post-Show Talkback

TUES, FEB 13 | 7:00 PM
ASL Interpretation

SUN, FEB 18 | 2:00 PM
Open Captioning & Audio Description

The show runs approximately 75 minutes with no intermission.

Starting at $38.

$15 advance tickets, excluding Opening Night/Saturdays at 5:30pm.

$15 rush tickets at the Box Office beginning two hours prior to show.

Tickets will be held at Will Call. Must present valid ID. Two tickets per ID.

A limited number of “Pay-What-You-Want” tickets will be available two hours before the 1 p.m. performance on Saturday, February 3rd. Please call the box office in advance to check on availability. Mention “Pay-What-You-Want” pricing when purchasing.

$24 rush tickets available at the Box Office beginning two hours prior to show.

Save when you bring a group! For pricing, contact Joel Ambrose, Director of Ticketing & Patron Services, by email or at 412.431.4400 x286.

As a participating Blue Star Theatre, City Theatre is happy to offer 25% off to military personnel and their families. More info >