James Lecesne Archives - TheaterScene.net

James Lecesne

Duncan Sheik (1969–2026): The Sound of Spring Awakening

October 26, 2026

Black-and-white portrait of composer Duncan Sheik in dark-rimmed glasses ``` Title ``` Duncan Sheik ``` Caption ``` Duncan Sheik (1969–2026) ``` Description ``` Duncan Sheik, Tony Award-winning composer of Spring Awakening, who died September 17, 2026, at 56. ``` The image looks like a screenshot. If you know where it came from, add a photo credit to the caption, for example "Duncan Sheik (1969–2026)

Duncan Sheik, the singer-songwriter who went from the pop charts to Broadway and gave Spring Awakening its rock score, died on September 17, 2026, in New York. He was 56. His family had said earlier that he was hospitalized in critical condition. He died with two shows about to open Off-Broadway: his new musical Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen and a revival of Spring Awakening, which brought him his first Tony Awards. [more]

The Mother of Invention

February 10, 2017

Playwright James Lecesne has been acclaimed for his solo performance works, most recently "The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey." Here, he has written a traditional play employing theatrical devices that’s a mélange of David Sedaris, Charles Busch and Modern Family. There are one-liners galore, wacky situations and a decidedly campy sensibility. It’s a bunch of superficial antics that never really meaningfully connect. [more]

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey

February 23, 2015

The fabric of the community of a small Jersey shore town is torn apart in the wake of the mysterious disappearance of young Leonard Pelkey. At first this one-man show, written and performed by James Lecesne, follows the lines of every crime drama you have seen. Yet, "The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey" proves to be much more than superficial intrigue and ends up challenging the very conscience of society. The standing ovation and second curtain calls this show has been receiving in previews are already setting this piece of theater apart. [more]