Every Brilliant Thing at The MAIN

Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe - Presented by MatchBox Theatre Co.

Starring Liam Johnson

Directed by Sanya Arnold

Winner of the 2015 Drama Desk Award for Best Play, this one-of-a-kind solo show explores a man’s changing view of the things that make life worth living – everything brilliant, magical, beautiful, big, small, and in between.

You’re six 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 that’s worth living for.

1) Ice cream. 2) Water fights. 3) Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV. 4) Laughing so hard you shoot milk out your nose. 5) Construction cranes. 6) Me.

You leave it on her pillow. You know she’s read it because she’s corrected your spelling. Soon, the list will take on a life of its own.

"Every Brilliant Thing" explores a man's changing view of the things that make life worth living, and tells his story of growing up in the shadow of his mother's struggle with suicidal depression, taking you on a journey through grief, healing, falling in love, and rediscovering all that life has to give.

Production Dates:

September 25 - 27

Content Warning: This production contains discussions of depression and suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about self-harm or suicide, there is help available. Call or text 9-8-8 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. There is also an online chat option, 988lifeline.org/chat.