EVERY BRILLIANT THING Previews

Get that list ready!

The Broadway premiere of Every Brilliant Thing is tomorrow afternoon (February 21) at the Hudson Theatre. Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s play about the things that make life worth living has been performed in over 80 countries and was seen Off-Broadway in 2014. This mounting, starring Daniel Radcliffe and featuring a generous dose of audience participation, is co-directed by Macmillan and Jeremy Herrin. Opening night is March 12 for a limited run through May 24.

“In this one-of-a-kind solo show, a man looks back at his life and the glimmers of hope that carried him through. All told through a list of every wonderful, beautiful, and delightful thing — big, small, and everything in between — that makes life worth living.”

Who’s going?

This play is really special.  Have seen two productions; Geffen Playhouse with the ever charming Daniel K. Issac and the most recent production in London with the irresistible Minnie Driver.  Excited for folks that get to see it for their first time.  

For those that have seen, what is the stage seating experience like?  Are you too close?  Seeing it at Soho Place and The Geffen's small theater invited a sense of intimacy that I think is integral to the show. Mulling over seeing it again with a 5pm Sat curtain cam see 3 shows in one day.  Ambitious but oh so curious. 

I watched the filmed version of this on HBO Max this morning, with Jonny Donahoe as the Performer. 

FYI: There is no worry regrading "spoilers" should anyone also choose to watch before attending the show. There are no plot elements per se, and I can easily see how the show could/would never be the same from one performance to another.

As I watched, I experienced a desire to be selected as an audience participant, and especially to have the opportunity to interact improvisationally with Radcliffe (or for that matter, anyone in the role of the Performer). 

For me, and from what I saw in the filmed version, the enjoyment of the show is equally as dependent on the audience as it is on the actor. I very much enjoy the idea that the Performer is facilitating an  experience (conversation?) as opposed to portraying a character.

From some curtain call videos just posted, Radcliffe bows to the familiar refrain of The Five Stairsteps’ “Ooh Child” and takes the time to shout out some of the notable onstage audience participants.

How was the show, everybody?

Falsettolands said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Radcliffe has no standby for this.

An approximate 85-minute runtime is listed on the website, with no intermission."

weird that they couldn't find someone to cover..."

Weird but not unprecedented; Sarah Snook didn't have an understudy for Dorian Gray last season

Curious to see how much people are willing to pay to see this. 
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Runtime apparently came in closer to 70 minutes this afternoon"

 

Updated On: 2/21/26 at 08:31 PM

rg7759 said: "Re: snook:

At the risk of offending someone, its because women are required to be their own standby with no bump in pay"

huh?

rg7759 said: "Re: snook:

At the risk of offending someone, its because women are required to be their own standby with no bump in pay"

say what ….oh jan

If I had to guess David Hull (played White Josh on Crazy Exgirlfriend) who is the credited associate director is also the unlisted understudy (fun fact he understudied Radcliffe in How To Succeed) 

Updated On: 2/22/26 at 08:44 AM

Anyone seen this how is it?

quizking101 said: "

I thought Equity required that all shows have an understudy, even if they aren’t listed or have no chance of going on. I know for the revival of HEDWIG, the titular role had no official understudy, but Paul McGill was the silent, uncredited understudy"

 

100% incorrect.

Fordham2015 said: "Falsettolands said: "EDSOSLO858 said: "Radcliffe has no standby for this.

An approximate 85-minute runtime is listed on the website, with no intermission."

weird that they couldn't find someone to cover..."

Weird but not unprecedented; Sarah Snook didn't have an understudy for Dorian Gray last season"

It's easy to see why Dorian Gray didn't have an understudy with all the pre recorded stuff, there's no reason for EBT not to have one.