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PG-13

Every Brilliant Thing

Written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Directed by Suzy Newman
Scenic Design by David Linfield

Show Times

March 25 – April 10, 2022

Fri-Sat (no Thursday shows) @ 7 pm
Sat & Sun @ 2 pm

About

A funny and moving tribute to resilience and hope – as it enlists you, the audience, to tell this heartfelt story. 

You’re seven years old. Mom’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” She finds it hard to be happy. So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything worth living for: 1) Ice cream. 2) Water fights. 3) Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV. 4) The color yellow…  Soon, the list will take on a life of its own.

PLEASE NOTE: Our audience seating has been reconfigured to allow everyone in the audience to have equal access to the actor. Seating will be “in the round” so that every seat is a great seat. You can view our special seating chart HERE. Please call (805) 786-2440 with your questions, special seating needs or for wheelchair seating reservations.

This funny and moving play shines a light on the effects of suicide on families. It is a difficult topic, but it is handled with warmth, humor and hope. There will be talk-backs with the cast and mental health experts from Transitions Mental Health Association (T-MHA) after the shows listed below. We welcome audience members to remain for these interesting and informative sessions.

Friday, March 25 @ 7 pm
Saturday, March 26 @ 7 pm
Sunday, March 27 @ 2 pm
Friday, April 1 @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 2 @ 2 pm
Sunday, April 3 @ 2 pm
Friday, April 8 @ 7 pm
Saturday, April 9 @ 7 pm

Add to and enjoy a list of “Your Brilliant Things” HERE.

Every Brilliant Thing runs approximately 70 minutes with no intermission.

Click below to view a digital version of our playbill.

DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES
Transitions Mental Health Association is an excellent local resource for more information and assistance with mental health issues. Whether it’s a family member, a friend or yourself, TMHA can provide help or lead you to someone who can. The links below offer free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

CENTRAL COAST HOTLINE
(800) 783-0607

FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
(805) 540-6571

CRISIS & REFERRAL INFORMATION

Additional helpful links and resources may be found on the Transitions website HERE. 

Many thanks to Transitions Mental Health Association for partnering with SLO REP on this production.

Photos

Reviews

A heart-wrenching, hilarious play…One of the funniest plays you’ll ever see about depression—and possibly one of the funniest plays you’ll ever see, full stop.
– The Guardian
Five minutes into the start of Every Brilliant Thing, most of the audience had already cried for the first time – and had laughed aloud. By the end of the show, the entire room seemed to be infused with a spirit of camaraderie and hope, tinged with sadness for life’s missed opportunities.
– WENDI WINTERS, DC METRO THEATER ARTS
[EVERY BRILLIANT THING] is sad, but it is also gloriously funny and exceptionally warm. It’s a show that spells out a little of what depression can do to people, but it also highlights the irrepressible resilience of the human spirit and the capacity to find delight in the everyday.
– Time Out (London)

Cast

Performer
Kevin Harris

Sponsors

Bette Kulp

Show Sponsor

Michael & Maryellen Simkins

Show Sponsors

Dianne N. Long

Show Director Sponsor

Additional Support

"Toast of the Town" Wine Partner

Videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Every Brilliant Thing is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., New York.

Every Brilliant Thing was first produced by Paines Plough and Pentabus Theatre, on 28 June 2013 at Ludlow Fringe Festival. The play had its North American premiere at Barrow Street Theatre, New York, on 6 December 2014, where it was presented by Barrow Street Theatre and Jean Doumanian Productions.

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