The Trevor Project is the premiere organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to at-risk LGBTQ+ teens and young adults. The play was written and originally performed by James Lecesne-actor, author, screenwriter and LGBTQ+ rights activist who also created The Trevor Project. Thornton states “The moment I read The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey I knew this was a play that had to be done now.” Around DC, Thornton performed in many productions, including Signature Theatre’s Passion and Kennedy Center’s Shear Madness.

The 40 year-old troupe disbanded in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic.Ī NYC veteran, Thornton appeared Off-Broadway in The Zoo Story, Capitol Steps, The Madwoman of Chaillot, and the American Premiere of Blood Brothers. Although we never meet him, through these characters we come to celebrate Leonard and to love his unique, quirky way of bringing out the absolute best in all of us.Īs a member of the nationally-acclaimed, recently disbanded political satire group, The Capitol Steps, Thornton has portrayed many different characters including 6 US Presidents. The one thing they have in common is each of them has been deeply touched by Leonard. Thornton brings to life nine colorful characters-men and women (and a teenage girl)-whose lives have been transformed by a very special 14 year-old. Washington, DC -(June, 2022) Mike Thornton, New York City trained actor and veteran of America's premier political musical-satire troupe “The Capitol Steps” will be portraying 9 characters in this one-actor play.

Leonard pelkey