V Perez, long-time theater kid and aspiring activist, makes their directing debut for their Senior Capstone project. They put on the one-man play, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey, by James Celeste Lecesne, starring GHAA theater teacher and local (but global in our hearts) sensation Thomas Beebe.
The show follows the story of a detective, Chuck DeSantis, looking for a missing gay 14-year-old boy, Leonard Pelkey; once they find him, the show follows the story of a detective, Chuck DeSantis, looking for a dead boy’s murderer. His aunt Ellen, his cousin Phoebe, his acting teacher, the watchmaker, and the customers of Ellen’s hair salon reminisce about their moments with Leonard, telling the detective not just how his life ended, but how he lived. Despite Leonard already being gone at the beginning of the show, throughout the stories others tell about him, we learn who he was and how bright he shined. He inspired the women of the town to be confident (by encouraging them to wear little black dresses and dye their hair pink), gave the watchmaker a second chance at loving a gay son, and taught everyone he knew that being yourself isn’t something to be ashamed of. We develop a relationship with Leonard, making his funeral just as devastating as it would be if we saw an actor play him. Nearly everyone in the audience cried, and in a circle discussion afterwards, it was clear that the show was meaningful and powerful to each and every viewer. “It was beautiful storytelling through amazing directing and acting,” said Elise Snow, a GHAA senior with an extensive acting past.
Since he arrived at GHAA, Thomas has been a mentor for V; whether they’re in class, at rehearsal, or teaching kids together at Hartford Stage during the summer, he has helped them grow as a performer and a person into the showstopper that we see today. For their Capstone, they wanted to switch it up; it was time for the student to become the teacher. Theater is a very white dominated industry, so for V, creating diversity in theater and telling the stories of marginalized people was the goal of their Capstone.
The discussion circle after the show focused on: what emotions the show evoked, social justice through theater, and the gay panic defense, which was one of the heavy themes in the play. In a room full of queer theater kids, it was beyond easy for everyone to connect to the show and relate it to their real-life experiences. The question, “Did the show inspire you to speak up for social issues you believe in,” was answered with, “Yes, but I already speak up for issues I believe in.” The overwhelming support from the audience was so special and only proves how important theater is for sharing stories that need to be heard.
Both the show itself and its effects on the audience were profound, and it inspired a meaningful conversation about the themes the show brings attention to. Let’s give V (and I guess Thomas) a big hand to congratulate them on their show’s success!
