Theater reviewer Mike Logothetis grew up in North Wilmington, performing in school and local theater productions. He lives in Newark, but you can find him wherever the arts are good.
An uplifting play about depression, Every Brilliant Thing has become a global phenomenon since its Edinburgh Festival Fringe debut in 2014. Playwrights Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe created Every Brilliant Thing to tackle the complex topics of depression and suicide with warmth, honesty, and a touch of laughter. The University of Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players (REP) aims to spark dialogue around mental health using this adaptive play. Simply put, The REP's interpretation of the show is an unmitigated success.
The plot is simple: In response to a young boy’s mother’s suicide attempt, the child makes a list of “every brilliant thing” worth living for — ice cream, Kung Fu movies, “things with stripes,” etc. As time progresses, the list grows into an unexpectedly funny and emotional tribute to life and the human spirit.
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| Michael Gotch stars as the Narrator in Every Brilliant Thing at The REP. |
“To me, Every Brilliant Thing is, itself, a brilliant thing,” said director Steve Tague, also the producing artistic director of The REP. “Theater has a unique power to move us, but this play goes even further. It asks one of the most essential questions: What makes life worth living?”
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REP stalwart Michael Gotch is excellent as the “Narrator” — taking the audience through an emotional version of his life’s journey. This is theatre-in-the-round, so the personal stories the Narrator tells become even more intimate. The production also involves voluntary audience interaction. Audience members may be asked to read a line or briefly engage with the performer in a lighthearted and supportive way. Participation is completely optional.
(And who knew so many community members could act?!)
Tague added, “Socks and coats come alive, and audience members become counselors, lecturers, spouses, and veterinarians. For a brief time, we pretend that we can face the realities of mental illness with honesty, vulnerability, and even joy. And if we can do that together in a theater, maybe we can do it in life. That’s the quiet, profound magic of this piece.”
Because this production breaks the fourth wall, the theater experience is as cathartic as it is uplifting. It’s a worthwhile endeavor that may have you noticing and naming the brilliant things in your own life.
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This production of Every Brilliant Thing is co-sponsored by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Community Mental Health (ICMH) as a way to de-stigmatize conversations around mental health through art and shared experience. Please be advised that this performance includes references to suicide and attempted suicide, plus themes of depression and mental illness.
Performances of Every Brilliant Thing run through Sunday, September 21. Informal talkbacks with the cast take place following the evening performances on Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 19. Two “Prologues” occur on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 21. Mental health professionals from the ICMH will lead both prologue discussions and engage with audiences during talkback performances.
“At the ICMH, we’re driven by the belief that the best of clinical psychological science should serve real people in real communities,” said Dr. Ryan Beveridge, executive director of the ICMH. “This partnership with the REP is a powerful reflection of that, using the emotional truth of live theatre to reach people where they are, spark conversation, and connect them with support. Through this collaboration, we’re not only raising awareness, but we’re also offering access to high-quality, evidence-based care, community-focused clinicians, and research that’s designed to make a difference in people’s everyday lives.”
Tickets prices range from $20-39 (+fees) with discounts available for students, seniors, plus University of Delaware faculty and staff. Tickets can be purchased online at www.rep.udel.edu; by contacting the REP box office at 302.831.2204; or visiting in person at 110 Orchard Road Tuesdays through Fridays from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The one-act show runs approximately 65 minutes.
The Thompson Theatre at the Roselle Center for the Arts is located on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus and is ADA-compliant. It is equipped with a hearing loop system, which works with hearing aid t-coils, cochlear implants, and in-house hearing devices. Wheelchair and other seating requests can be made prior to the performance by calling 302.831.2204 or emailing cfa-boxoffice@udel.edu.
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