Actors Collaborative Toledo Opens 2026–27 Season with The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

Daily Dose  |  07/27/2026 5:15 pm

Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) will launch its 2026–2027 season with a powerful and timely production of James Lecesne's The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey on Saturday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre at the Toledo School for the Arts, 1401 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604.

Tickets are available in advance at www.act419.org.

Presented as a kickoff to Toledo Pride Week, the production will also support local LGBTQAI+ youth, with a portion of all ticket proceeds benefiting PRISM, the LGBTQAI+ student alliance at Toledo School for the Arts.

Written by acclaimed playwright and LGBTQ+ advocate James Lecesne, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey is a moving, humorous, and deeply compassionate one-person play. When the flamboyant and unforgettable Leonard Pelkey suddenly disappears, the residents of a small Jersey shore town are forced to confront their assumptions, prejudices, and ultimately the enduring impact one extraordinary young person had on their lives. Through a cast of nine vividly drawn characters, the play celebrates authenticity, acceptance, and the remarkable legacy that one life can leave behind.

Veteran actor John DuVall takes on the challenge of portraying all nine characters in the production.

"This play shines a light on the cost of having the strength to be who you are," DuVall said. "Almost every character brings joy and heartbreak, and reminds us that we all leave a mark on this world. It's our decision what that mark will be."

The production is directed by Jeffrey J. Albright, who believes the play's message is particularly meaningful as Toledo prepares to celebrate Pride.

"This is a play about how each of us makes a choice by our actions of how we wish to be remembered," Albright said. "Leonard Pelkey reminds us that even the smallest act of kindness can have a long-lasting rippling effect."

Albright and DuVall are longtime artistic collaborators whose work together has earned praise throughout Northwest Ohio for its emotional honesty and compelling storytelling. They are excited to reunite on what they describe as one of the most important and relevant theatrical works they have undertaken. Along with Barbara Barkan, the pair are co-founders of Actors Collaborative Toledo, an organization dedicated to producing thought-provoking theatre that sparks conversation, builds community, and gives voice to stories that matter.

With its blend of humor, mystery, heartbreak, and hope, The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey offers audiences an unforgettable theatrical experience while serving as a celebration of authenticity, compassion, and the courage to live openly.

Performances are Saturday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m. at the Toledo School for the Arts Black Box Theatre, 1401 Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604. Tickets may be purchased online at www.act419.org. Seating is limited, and advance reservations are encouraged.

About Actors Collaborative Toledo

Actors Collaborative Toledo (ACT) is a nonprofit theatre company dedicated to presenting bold, intimate, and socially relevant productions that engage audiences and foster dialogue. Founded by Barbara Barkan, John DuVall, and Jeffrey J. Albright, ACT is committed to creating meaningful theatrical experiences that celebrate diverse voices and strengthen the cultural life of Northwest Ohio.