Every Brilliant Thing is remarkable, soul searching, raw, and beautiful. Taking a journey down suicide and what it does to a family it’s still is filled with laughter and brightness. That may sound crazy but it evaluates finding joy in this life even when joy seems to be the last thing available. I left touched, renewed in the human spirit and joyful.
Every Brilliant Thing Crowd Participation
Scott Greer will go through the crowd before the show starts to ask people to read a card that is associated with a number. This number will make sense during the show. When he handed it to me I agreed to do it but I had questions. I believe my number was 117, all the even shows of Star Wars. This journey in finding simple joy is how I personally was able to fight through my depression to this day. Depression is heavy. Loaded with unseemingly no real answers. Everyone had different triggers as to why they may feel any form of mental health.
What to Expect before you go to see Every Brilliant Thing
Please plan to arrive a few minutes before the show. If you ever go to a show you know that the biggest thing to do is find seating. The show took place on the second floor in the Arden Theatre. The audience is in a circle. This will make more sense as the show progresses. There is no intermission. The show is about 80 minutes long. You can have your mask as it is optional. If you should need to leave you will be directed where to exit. If for some reason the topic of suicide is hard for you. I understand. Do what is best for you. The discussion is throughout but in a way that inspires the audience to see themselves, ask for help, and gives you a sense of purpose.
The Brilliance of Every Brilliant Thing
The touching story of watching this unfortunate tragedy not just take the life of the Mother but of the family as a whole. Suicide never doesn’t just affect the life of the person who ends their own. Many of the people surrounding the ones who remain are grappled with questions. Seeing something so elmentary like a list of hope and things to look forward to was refreshing. If you ever have been in therapy this practice is used for many reasons. You hear people who even attempt to end their lives with the notion of not having anything to live for. This is simply not true. They are overwhelmed and can’t simply see the darkness in their dark world. We can’t simply minimize the feeling either.
Simple Joys
I attended the opening shows. It was an amazing experience. Not only to see opening night back with food and drinks but to have the opportunity to write down one thing that brings us joy. I wrote watching kids (my kids) simply exist and be kids. That sounds like a lot but if you ever have to grow up fast you get it. Having to do things that most kids don’t ever have to consider can be overwhelming. This is the concept of a gratitude journal. If you do not have one-start one today. Use it as apart of you night time routine. Write 3 things that bring you joy and maybe you will be closer to that million list.
This production is By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe and featuring Scott Greer. Leaving this production made me want to increase my personal self care. To have a talk with my husband about his mental health as well as support my kids with theirs. I felt joy that I can’t describe. I had tears in my eyes. Although the play has so many funny parts there were chances for us to think. Who is your sock puppet supporter? No play will be the same. Every one of them will have new characters as the audience changes. All of them will leave with the sense of hope in Every Brilliant Thing and you are one of them as well. Get your tickets now as it is in production until December. Go see it multiple times taking those you love.
